07:22
The top cause of premature human death in the UK and many other countries is cancer, particularly of the lung, breast, bowel and prostate. However, over 40% of cancers are preventable by healthy lifestyle choices. Animal products such as meat and dairy substantially increase cancer risks because they contain cancer causing chemicals. These include growth hormones, and preservatives such as nitrites and nitrates. In contrast, plant-based diets contain substances that substantially decrease risks of cancer and other diseases, such as fibre, antioxidants and vitamins. Vegan and vegetarian diet...
09:44
The top causes of human mortality are cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. One in five deaths globally are caused by an unhealthy diet. A diet comprised of whole plant foods has been shown to be the most healthy choice for people, animals and the planet as a whole. This video explores the health benefits of such diets. These include decreases in cholesterol and improved gut health. The growth hormones and other chemicals found in red and processed meat and poultry increase cancer risks. Plant-based diets decrease cancer risks by 15%, with risks of some cancers such as those of the p...
06:16
Describes the decline of global fisheries, and species such as artic fish and sharks that are particularly threatened. Also described are the adverse impacts that may be experienced by dolphins during dolphin encounters designed for tourists.
08:30
Modern zoos fulfil multiple functions, including entertainment, conservation, education, animal rehabilitation and release, employment and profit generation. This video summaries the historical origins of zoos, and the evolution of enclosure design and animal husbandry. The increasing focus of modern zoos on animal welfare is discussed, along with environmental, nutritional and social enrichment strategies. Opposition to zoos arises from ongoing concerns about the extent to which they interfere with animal autonomy, fulfilment of preferences (reproduction is discussed), and good welfare. Zo...
03:26
In response to the illegal wildlife trade, wild animals are often seized, confiscated, and subsequent managed. Unfortunately, confiscated live animals often experience substandard care. We interviewed 18 experts from seven countries in Southeast Asia, to investigate barriers to appropriate care and management, and particularly, appropriate ‘disposal’ of confiscated live animals. We proposed seven recommendations to help support the efficient and humane management of illegally traded wildlife in Southeast Asia and globally. Our study ‘Surviving the Wildlife Trade in Southeast Asia: Reforming...
04:45
Control methods are applied worldwide to reduce predation on livestock by European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Lethal methods are intended to kill foxes and can inflict suffering. Non-lethal methods can also inflict suffering and can unintentionally lead to death. Moral debate about the animal welfare and ethical consequences of both methods is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the animal welfare consequences, the level of humaneness and the ethical and moral implications of the global use of fox control methods. Tom Regan’s animal rights view and Peter Singer’s utilitarian v...
05:37
Exploring the negative relationships between human activity/population growth and welfare of wildlife. Should legal concepts of animal welfare be expanded to include wild-living animals?
08:16
Summarises welfare concerns experienced by birds and other exotic animals due to human activities. These include habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict, hunting, trapping, pollution, the impacts of researchers, and the legal and illegal trades in wildlife. Death rates during transit are often very high, and continue after animals reach consumer homes, due to their specialised dietary and other husbandry requirements. The ecological impacts of these trades are also discussed, and law and policy solutions proposed.
nb: When including human trafficking, the illegal trade in wildlife is r...
10:22
Summarises the welfare concerns of horses and other equines, used within conventional and endurance racing, dressage and other equestrian events, as urban carriage horses, and as working animals within the developing world.
07:13
Forensic entomology is the application of insects, and sometimes other arthropods, within a legal context. It may use factors such as insect type and life cycle stage, and ambient temperature records, to prove time periods such as the minimum time since the death of an animal (or person), or since an animal was caught in a trap. This evidence may be used within animal abuse prosecutions. This video explores successive insect colonisation stages, especially of blowflies, and provides guidelines for the collection and preservation of insect evidence.
05:11
Flystrike (myiasis) affects both wild and domesticated animals such as livestock, and companion animals such as rabbits. Risk factors include injuries, illnesses such as diarrhoea, and neglect. This video covers types of flystrike (obligative, facultative and accidental), fly species involved and life cycle stages. It reviews the controversial management strategy of mulesing. Finally it discusses forensic myiasis – the study of factors such as insect life cycle stages and weather, to estimate periods of animal neglect, etc., for use in prosecutions.
06:05
Explores the social status of traditional and exotic companion animals, and of working animals. A few animals have had successful careers in politics – these are reviewed, along with political parties for animals. The moral opposition to companion animal ownership of animal rights theorists such as philosopher Gary Francione, is explored, as is its detailed rebuttal by Sue Donaldson and Will Kymlicka, in their ground-breaking book Zoopolis, which reconceptualises human relationships with animals of different kinds.