Creating better links between great ape researchers and zoos and sanctuaries to increase wild-type behaviours in captive animals
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
Time is running out for our great ape relatives that are centre stage in the balance between improving the quality of human lives and living within the Earth's limits. Orangutans for example inhabit prime areas for timber extraction and palm oil plantations; bonobos inhabit areas of prolonged warfare and mountain gorillas inhabit areas that are crucial for minerals such as Coltan and for oil. If habitat destruction continues apace all great apes will be extinct in the wild within 20 years (World Conservation Union [IUCN]).
In parallel with efforts to manage wild populations and habitats sustainably, ex-situ conservation (zoos and sanctuaries) is essential. The ability of sanctuaries to reintroduce great apes back into the wild and of zoos to 'conserve the whole organism' relies on encouraging apes to exhibit the behaviours that are a vital part of the species ability to survive in natural habitats. Great apes are, however, some of the most difficult species to keep successfully in captivity. Health problems, such as obesity, are common, and some display signs of stress, which may relate to a lack of species-specific physical and mental activity. As stewards of these species for current and future generations, zoos and sanctuaries need to be empowered with effective tools to ensure healthy, wild-type captive populations within a range of budgets.
At Birmingham, my colleagues and I have created an 'Enclosure Design Tool' (EDT); an interactive computer interface that translates research on wild apes into a format zoos can use to enhance ape welfare. The tool compares behavioural ecology data collected from zoo chimps to data profiles we have generated for wild chimps. It then makes recommendations for how to modify enclosures to elicit missing or under-represented wild-type behaviours. A further dataset is collected after the modifications, and the EDT quantifies whether the changes to the enclosure have been successful. Our results are excellent; for example we have significantly increased the chimps' level of arboreal locomotion and have instigated key wildtype behaviours that had been absent. The EDT has tremendous promise to significantly improve the lives of captive great apes. EDTs for zoo gorillas, orangutans and bonobos are in development and we have just begun a project to develop EDTs for sanctuary chimps and orangutans.
The objectives of my Fellowship application are to:
1. work with great ape researchers and zoos to share knowledge, expertise and ambitions to generate tangible outcomes for the welfare of captive great apes and for the quality of academic research in zoos and the wild. This will be partly through working in partnership with BIAZA (the UK Zoo's representative body) to create a new Great Ape Welfare Party that will bring researchers, zoo practitioners, policy makers and animal welfare groups together to find common ground and innovative solutions to the unique problems that each discipline experiences.
2. work with the zoo and sanctuary communities to support them in the adoption of the EDTs and to make sure the EDTs meet their requirements
3. Influence zoo policy and Best Practise Guidelines to better understand and reflect the biological needs of captive great apes, based on their natural behaviour and ecology
4. extend the EDT concept to at least one non-ape zoo species.
I have been fortunate enough to study great apes in the wild, tracking orangutans through the Indonesian rainforest. I hope that in my Fellowship I can work with zoos, sanctuaries and all their stakeholders to use my experience to improve the welfare of captive great apes and improve the success of ape reintroductions back into the wild. I would also like to help zoo visitors see zoo apes behaving just like their wild relatives. Then they too can feel how magical it is, and how privileged we are, to be able to see our closest living animal relatives in such close proximity.
In parallel with efforts to manage wild populations and habitats sustainably, ex-situ conservation (zoos and sanctuaries) is essential. The ability of sanctuaries to reintroduce great apes back into the wild and of zoos to 'conserve the whole organism' relies on encouraging apes to exhibit the behaviours that are a vital part of the species ability to survive in natural habitats. Great apes are, however, some of the most difficult species to keep successfully in captivity. Health problems, such as obesity, are common, and some display signs of stress, which may relate to a lack of species-specific physical and mental activity. As stewards of these species for current and future generations, zoos and sanctuaries need to be empowered with effective tools to ensure healthy, wild-type captive populations within a range of budgets.
At Birmingham, my colleagues and I have created an 'Enclosure Design Tool' (EDT); an interactive computer interface that translates research on wild apes into a format zoos can use to enhance ape welfare. The tool compares behavioural ecology data collected from zoo chimps to data profiles we have generated for wild chimps. It then makes recommendations for how to modify enclosures to elicit missing or under-represented wild-type behaviours. A further dataset is collected after the modifications, and the EDT quantifies whether the changes to the enclosure have been successful. Our results are excellent; for example we have significantly increased the chimps' level of arboreal locomotion and have instigated key wildtype behaviours that had been absent. The EDT has tremendous promise to significantly improve the lives of captive great apes. EDTs for zoo gorillas, orangutans and bonobos are in development and we have just begun a project to develop EDTs for sanctuary chimps and orangutans.
The objectives of my Fellowship application are to:
1. work with great ape researchers and zoos to share knowledge, expertise and ambitions to generate tangible outcomes for the welfare of captive great apes and for the quality of academic research in zoos and the wild. This will be partly through working in partnership with BIAZA (the UK Zoo's representative body) to create a new Great Ape Welfare Party that will bring researchers, zoo practitioners, policy makers and animal welfare groups together to find common ground and innovative solutions to the unique problems that each discipline experiences.
2. work with the zoo and sanctuary communities to support them in the adoption of the EDTs and to make sure the EDTs meet their requirements
3. Influence zoo policy and Best Practise Guidelines to better understand and reflect the biological needs of captive great apes, based on their natural behaviour and ecology
4. extend the EDT concept to at least one non-ape zoo species.
I have been fortunate enough to study great apes in the wild, tracking orangutans through the Indonesian rainforest. I hope that in my Fellowship I can work with zoos, sanctuaries and all their stakeholders to use my experience to improve the welfare of captive great apes and improve the success of ape reintroductions back into the wild. I would also like to help zoo visitors see zoo apes behaving just like their wild relatives. Then they too can feel how magical it is, and how privileged we are, to be able to see our closest living animal relatives in such close proximity.
Organisations
- University of Birmingham (Fellow, Lead Research Organisation)
- Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (Collaboration)
- Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group (Collaboration)
- Blair Drummond Safari Park (Collaboration)
- British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Collaboration)
- Ape Action Africa UK (Collaboration)
- Whipsnade Zoo (Collaboration)
- Twycross Zoo (Collaboration)
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (Collaboration)
- Chester Zoo (Collaboration)
- Taronga Zoo (Collaboration)
- Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Susannah Thorpe (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Chappell J
(2022)
The role of great ape behavioral ecology in One Health: Implications for captive welfare and re-habilitation success.
in American journal of primatology
| Description | We have developed the Great Ape Welfare group which aims to bring together zoo practitioners, researchers of wild and captive great and apes and other stakeholders to generate improved welfare outcomes for zoo-housed great apes |
| Exploitation Route | We hope that the Great Ape Welfare group can be a model for generating improved welfare outcomes for other species housed in zoos |
| Sectors | Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | by inclusion in the Great Ape Welfare group CPD workshop for zoo keepers that aimed to train zookeepers in the behavioural ecology of wild great apes and in practical ways to translate that knowledge into ways to encourage wild-type behaviours in the great apes in their care |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Environment,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Description | BBSRC IAA |
| Amount | £46,169 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2019 |
| End | 06/2020 |
| Description | The EDT as an evidence-based assessment and monitoring tool for the key phases of orangutan rehabilitation and release. |
| Amount | $475,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | The ARCUS Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 07/2019 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Amersfoort Zoo |
| Organisation | Taronga Zoo |
| Country | Australia |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Amersfoort zoo is one of 4 zoos where we have piloted the chimpanzee EDT, to test its efficacy before making it available to the EU zoo community |
| Collaborator Contribution | Amersfoort Zoo allowed us off-show access to their chimpanzee group and are feeding into our work to improve the efficacy of the EDT in zoos other than Twycross |
| Impact | none yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Ape Action Africa |
| Organisation | Ape Action Africa UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We have spent the last year working with Ape Action Africa (AAA) to develop a chimp sanctuary EDT. It is based on the zoo chimp EDT, but has been modified to account for the unique circumstances in which sanctuaries operate (e.g. ages/histories of the animals, quarantine requirements, husbandry, the impact of a tropical climate on the materials that can be used in enclosures, the literacy levels of staff and the sheer volume of unrelated animals that they need to care for). We are now writing up the results of the study and have begun collaborating with the wider chimpanzee sanctuary community to make it available for free to all end users and to ensure it meets their needs. We have trained AAA staff in the biological underpinnings of the need to encourage wild-type behaviours in captive apes and in how to collect data for the EDT, so they are equipped to continue with the approach now the project has finished. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Ape Action Africa hosted our PDRA and also the Cameroonian student that worked with us on the project (whom they have since appointed as a vet). They worked with us to innovate new ways to replicate the mechanics of natural habitats in sanctuary settings, which will significantly enhance the quality of the EDT. They are also helping us link to the wider chimp sanctuary community so we are able to distribute the EDT when it is finished. |
| Impact | significant improvements in the quality of life of the chimpanzees that were subjects in the research study, which has welfare, policy and economic implications since AAA is a major venue for the public and policy makers to visit in Cameroon to learn about their native wildlife and the issues surrounding deforestation |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | BIAZA |
| Organisation | British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Whilst our partnership with BIAZA began in 2015 with the Enclosure Design Tool, it has continued to thrive and expand since that time. The benefits of the EDT partnership to BIAZA are described by the following quote from Dr Kirsten Pullen, CEO BIAZA "The collaboration on the EDT project has had clear impacts for BIAZA in more than one way. The development of a tool that allows apes in our care to experience activity and locomotion more comparable to wild type behaviours allows us to achieve our goals of promoting wild type behaviours and developing strong protocols for high levels of care within our zoos. In addition, the relationship between the Birmingham University, Twycross Zoo and BIAZA is a clear model of how integrating disciplines can lead to beneficial partnerships with relevant outcomes for the professional bodies and for the academic partners involved". As part of the new KE Fellowship, our partnership is progressing to include the joint establishment of a Great Ape Welfare group (GAWg). The aim is to bring together zoo practitioners, researchers of wild and captive great apes and representative of great ape-related welfare, regulatory and government organisations to define best practice in great ape welfare, celebrate current successes, and work together to generate tangible evidence-based improvements in welfare, husbandry, policy, ex-situ conservation and linked research. We also hope that this group can be a model for the way zoos generate evidence-based practice in the future. The group has now been established for two year and Thorpe is Chair of the group. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BIAZA are the professional representative body for UK zoos. Working with them has provided us with a detailed insight into the needs and logistics of zoos. Partnership with them has given added value to the Enclosure Design Tool because of their position as the UK representative body for zoos and because of their international reputation with zoo practitioners and policy makers. BIAZA are co-founders of and provide administration for the Great Ape Welfare group. The partnership has been critical in facilitating our links with the zoo community and is strengthening our our links to UK and EU policy makers. |
| Impact | 1) A primary output is the Enclosure Design Tool, which is described elsewhere 2) Outcomes from the Great Ape Welfare Group include a) a great ape-specific contribution to the Secretary of States Standards for Modern Zoo Practice, which is DEFRA's regulatory document that guides the inspection and regulation of UK zoos. These recommendations are currently part of an review process within DEFRA and are expected to be passed within the next 18 months. b) annual training workshops for great ape zoo keepers that have been attended by keepers from all over Europe c) Collaboration with the 22 zoos that hold great apes in the UK to undertake a facilities and management survey (predominantly funded by the BBSRC IAA award) d) The development of literature reviews on the gaps in knowledge relating to the welfare of wild and captive great apes that will next be combined with the facilities and management survey to create best practice guidance ( (predominantly funded by the BBSRC IAA award) |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Blair Drummond Zoo |
| Organisation | Blair Drummond Safari Park |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We are piloting the EDT on the chimpanzees at Blair Drummond Zoo to test its efficacy, before rolling it out to the EU zoo community |
| Collaborator Contribution | Blair Drummond are allowing us off-show access to their chimpanzee group and are feeding into our work to improve the efficacy of the EDT in zoos other than Twycross |
| Impact | in development |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation |
| Organisation | Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | in 2017 we worked at a Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS) orangutan sanctuary to develop the sanctuary Orangutan Enclosure Design Tool. We contributed scientific expertise in the behaviour of wild orangutans to help BOS modify their enclosures to optimise the chances of the rehabilitant orangutans learning wild behaviours to help ensure their successful reintroduction into natural habitat. Our approach focuses on replicating the mechanical challenges apes experience in the wild to create enclosures that behave naturally as they move around them, rather than ones that look natural to visitors. Our PDRA also provided training to staff in data collection and in the biological underpinning of which particular types of behaviour (such as locomotion and complex cognitive problems) need to be focused on to ensure rehabilitant orangutans can thrive when released into natural habitat. We now have a new phase of the partnership developing with them as they will host our new ARCUS-funded project to fine tune the EDT (but my time is funded by this NERC Fellowship). We are currently discussing how the partnership will work but we anticipate one ARCUS funded PDRA and a NERC DTP student will spend time at BOS' main sanctuary (Nyaru Menteng) working with them to improve key components of the orangutan rehabilitation process and post release monitoring to quantify whether the orangutans can thrive once they are returned to the wild. |
| Collaborator Contribution | BOS hosted our PDRA at the Samboja Orangutan centre in 2017. They allocated significant staff time to facilitating the project. In the new phase of the project (due to begin later this year) they will allocate significant staff time and will cover the costs of required enclosure modifications. They are currently working with us to plan the next stage of the project and support our applications for Visa and permits |
| Impact | Substantially enhanced welfare of BOS orangutans. This has been analysed in a report for BOS, which we have now submitted as a Case Study to the upcoming State of the Apes publication. We are working on a paper for submission later this year as well. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Chester Zoo |
| Organisation | Chester Zoo |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Thorpe has had a 20 year partnership with Chester Zoo developing ways to improve the wild-type behaviours of captive apes.Our contribution has been to 1) write reports on the behaviour of wild orangutans, 2) provide research advice on the design of the new orangutan enclosures and 3) design and provide students to carry out projects at the zoo to test mechanisms to encourage wild-type behaviours in chimpanzees and orangutans. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Chester Zoo have been on our Advisory Board for the EDT since its inception and are now in the process of carrying out a pilot study of the EDT on their chimpanzees. They have also facilitated contacts with the Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Board and a range of orangutan sanctuariess in Indonesia and Malaysia, where we have been working to develop an orangutan sanctuary EDT. This year they have allowed our new ARCUS Foundation/NERC funded research team to practice data collection on their orangutans |
| Impact | paper in progress |
| Description | DEFRA |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | As Chair of GAWG and as an expert in great ape ecology I have been collaborating with DEFRA on the rewrite of the Secretary of State Standards for Modern Zoo Practice. This document, which guides the inspection and regulation of UK zoos is currently in the final stages of a major rewrite and I am leading GAWg to write a special appendix that details the particular husbandry needs of captive great apes. The depth of this relationship has increased as a consequence of the BBSRC IAA award in which we are developing material to improve the inspection process for great apes. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partnership over writing the Great Ape appendix for addition to the Secretary of State Standards for Modern Zoo Practice |
| Impact | in development |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group |
| Organisation | Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group (OVAG) support 38 stakeholders in orangutan conservation and health, and represent most of the orangutan sanctuaries in SE Asia. We are working with them in a knowledge exchange partnership. We are providing information on the behavioural ecology of wild orangutans and how the mechanical challenges that wild orangutans face every day can be emulated in captivity to increase the quality of life of captive orangutans and their chances of successful reintroduction, where this is possible. We are delivering this both via the EDT and via advice on general ways to enhance the physical and cognitive challenges posed to captive orangutans by their enclosures. This year will be the 5th year running that we have contributed to their annual veterinary workshop. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The OVAG committee formed our Advisory Board for the orangutan sanctuary EDT, which is designed to ensure that the EDT reflects the needs of a wide range of end users, by obtaining input on its design and functionality from representatives of related conservation, sanctuary and policy making organizations. OVAG have built the EDT into their 5 year strategy to be one of their pillars of research activity. We are partners at their annual meetings so we can also develop our knowledge of the core issues for the community and the primary problems in rehabilitating orangutans for life back in the wild. They are also committed to supporting us in refining the EDT for all sanctuaries and to helping roll out the EDT to the sanctuary community once we have completed the refinement process (via a new grant from the ARCUS Foundation) that is funding a 4 year project and international partnership. |
| Impact | We have spoken at their annual meetings to showcase the EDT and obtain feedback on its development. We are also currently working with them to quantify their training needs in relationship to accessing research information on the behavioral ecology of wild orangutans and have already delivered 2 sessions on this topic to their staff. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Twycross Zoo |
| Organisation | Twycross Zoo |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | In 2015 we were seconded to Twycross zoo to use their chimpanzee and gorilla enclosures as a case study from which to develop the Enclosure Design Tool. Our work to record the locomotor, cognitive and social behaviour of their chimps and gorillas is significantly improving the welfare of their animals by providing bespoke evidence-based modifications to their enclosures based on comparisons with the behaviour of wild animals. This process gives the zoo direct access to the latest research on wild chimpanzees and gorillas, which is rarely accessible to zoos either because of lack of proximity to relevant academics or because the way the research is described makes it difficult to extract meaningful translational information. For example very little is know about the behaviour of wild lowland gorillas because there are very few habituated populations. Interpreting the literature thus requires understanding of the behaviour of wild apes and the likely impact of lack of habituation. Moreover, our study contributes substantially to their vision - which is to be a research-led zoo, particularly in care and welfare of primates. Part of their vision has been to design and build a new flagship Chimpanzee enclosure. Thorpe sat on the Design Committee as a Research Advisor to help ensure the new enclosure facilitated expression of wild-type behaviours. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Twycross zoo allowed us access to their animal facilities and to their staff at all levels of the organisation in order to develop the Enclosure Design Tool. They allocated us office space and provided access to their library and parking facilities for free, plus free access to the zoo. They modified enclosures as we have suggested and allocated significant staff time to this process. Further they have made bridges for us with regulatory bodies (EU great Ape Taxon Advisory Group [TAG}), and facilitated our speaking at several EU TAG meetings. From an institutional perspective they had been strong ambassadors for the benefits of industry interacting with the University of Birmingham and their CEO (Sharon Redrobe) has spoken at key University of Birmingham events such as 'Business with Birmingham, 2015 to this effect. |
| Impact | Our partnership led to a series of events exploring wider collaboration across the operations and expertise of UoB and Twycross Zoo. We ran a Discovery Day at Twycross that was attended by >20 leading researchers from 5 Colleges with the University of Birmingham. To date this has led to formal collaborations developing between Twycross Zoo and the Birmingham Business School (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/business/news/2015/july/marketing-and-monkeys.aspx) and the School of Psychology, and others are in development. The two institutional partners signed an MOU in 2016. The partnership has been featured extensively by both institutions as a flagship industry/academia partnership, such as the 'Business with Birmingham' conference in 2015, where the CEO of Twycross Zoo sat on the panel with large corporates such as Jaguar Land Rover, Procter & Gamble, and IBM, and features in the Business with Birmingham 'Think' magazine e.g.:http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/partners/Think-Business-10.pdf |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Whipsnade zoo |
| Organisation | Whipsnade Zoo |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We are piloting the EDT on the chimpanzees at Whipsnade Zoo to test its efficacy, before rolling it out to the EU zoo community |
| Collaborator Contribution | Whipsnade are allowing us off-show access to their chimpanzee group and are feeding into our work to improve the efficacy of the EDT in zoos other than Twycross |
| Impact | non yet |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | • Chimpfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust |
| Organisation | Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage Trust |
| Country | Zambia |
| Sector | Multiple |
| PI Contribution | We have supported Chimpfunsi via mentoring and support to apply the EDT to their sanctuary chimpanzees to address behavioural problems and improve their quality of life. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed knowledge to improve the EDT |
| Impact | in development |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | GAWg keeper CPD |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Training provided to link behavioural ecology research and captive care of great apes |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019 |
| Description | Introducing the Release Assessment tool |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | we delivered a workshop, to the OVAG meeting, which this year ran virtually. We provided more training in the behavioral ecology of wild orangutans and then described a tool we have developed for the sanctuary community that can help them assess whether their orangutans are ready for release back into the wild. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | OVAG Presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Chappell was invited to take part in the Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group (OVAG) Annual Meeting, held in Jogjakarta, Indonesia: She also delivered a presentation entitled "Supporting rehabilitation: Extending the Enclosure Design Tool (EDT) to Sanctuaries" In 2018 we ran a half day workshop for the OVAG community on the behavioural ecology of wild orangutans and the Enclosure Design Tool. In 2019 Chappell ran sessions on the EDT and we have been invited to develop this further in 2020 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) Annual Veterinary Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have been invited to this event to provide training in the behavioural ecology of wild chimpanzees and the Enclosure Design Tool. PASA are the largest alliance of wildlife sanctuaries in Africa, so this is a fantastic opportunity to translate research knowledge into improved quality of life outcomes for sanctuary chimpanzees |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at BIAZA AGM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Chappell was invited to speak at BIAZA's AGM on "Culture and Technology: Facilitating evidence-based captive management with the Enclosure Design Tool". The output was to generate discussion on ways to include technology in the care of zoo animals. It resulted in the planning of future collaborations to develop similar tools. Applications for funding to support these are underway |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Running a Great Ap[e Welfare group CPD workshop for zoo keepers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Great Ape Welfare group ran its first CPD workshop for great ape-related zookeepers. Though aimed at UK keepers, it recruited from Western Europe as well. Training was provided in the biological needs of captive great apes and practical ways to translate this knowledge into improved husbandry. Feedback was excellent with 100% of attendees reporting that the day was informative and relevant and that they would like to attend future events |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |