Euthanasia in zoo animals

Examine end-of-life care issues and the ethics and considerations that go into the decision to euthanize zoo animals in this two-part webinar.

Part one: The ability to deliver high quality veterinary care to animals in zoos and aquaria has created extended lifespans that make it more likely for animals to experience geriatric-related morbidity. Learn about multimodal therapies that can provide relief from discomfort while preserving animals’ quality of life, and explore animal welfare tools that help caretakers and veterinarians assess when euthanasia is appropriate.

Part two: Examine various techniques for population management in zoos, including animal culling. Explore the ethics, politics, and considerations (such as long-term population sustainability) that impact how animal breeding and culling decisions are made.

Participants can expect to learn about:

• Multimodal therapies that provide pain relief for zoo animals
• Methods used in zoos and aquaria to assess animals’ quality of life and assist in euthanasia decisions
• Animal culling as a tool for population management in zoos
• How animal breeding and culling programs can help zoos obtain long-term population sustainability