Research

The Parrot Zoo recognises the importance of encouraging, supporting and conducting research that improves captive animal husbandry and management along with informing animal management staff to the benefits of being able to offer correct environments and nutrition to captive animals.

The World Zoo Conservation Strategy highlights research as a major role for modern zoos and by doing so shows the importance of conservation programmes and contributes to the body of scientific knowledge about animals and their natural habitats; this is why research is one of the primary objectives of The Parrot Zoo

The Parrot Zoo’s research includes both animal-based and visitor studies working in partnership with some of the United Kingdoms leading academic facilities.

Animal-based studies can focus on behaviour, welfare, nutrition, husbandry, environmental enrichment, ecology, reproduction and conservation. All animal-based research undertaken within the Parrot Zoo is non-invasive and mostly conducted through observation of the animals in their captive environment.

Research studies assist in the mission of the Parrot Zoo in a number of ways.

• Helping to develop successful animal management practices by assessing the effect of factors, such as enclosure design, diet and social grouping on the animals.
• Benefiting the conservation of species and habitats, by improving the success of captive breeding programmes and in situ programmes.
• Promoting conservation through education by assessing visitor attitudes and perceptions.

The Parrot Zoo as a unique facility is dedicated to assisting all animals within its care and shall promote ethical research programs in order to maintain a better life for all captive animals.

If a human being falls ill and visits a hospital, a whole host of experts will be on hand to treat the patient.

The laboratory will know the normal ratio of red blood cells to white blood cells, will know the normal levels of sodium or calcium in the plasma, will even know what microbes or parasites to look for.

The physician will know what medicines to prescribe, and how much, and what outcome to expect. But what happens when a parrot falls ill? Or maybe a lemur? An illness for one creature may have a very different effect on a similar creature, Why?

And why do some animals breed so readily in captivity, while others seem so reticent? Does food have anything to do with it? Or is it design of cages? Or something else?

There are many reasons why the above can happen and many lessons to learn, a good zoo will listen to its animals, observe what is happening and hopefully why then log carry out the necessary changes in order to help.

Working alongside its veterinary advisors and sharing knowledge with other zoos is critical if these lessons are to be learnt.

Good zoos share the information they gather. Some employ their own full time veterinary staff, both to treat sick animals, and to study ways of maintaining animals in a healthy state. They support and solicit research from universities or research establishments nearby. Behavioural research is particularly suited to zoos. One way to measure how 'happy' zoo animals are is to study and compare their behaviour in the wild, and their behaviour in the zoo. If they are spending the same proportions of their time doing the same sort of things, then they are probably okay.

Research is far better termed as; working together with our animals to create a better understanding of their needs while living in captivity.