The Behaviour, Needs and Welfare of Pinnipeds in Human Care
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Zoo Animals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 121
Special Issue Editor
Interests: seals; behavioural ecology; mother–pup behaviour; juvenile development; play; captive care; welfare; habitat disturbance; sea pollution
* Dr. Susan Wilson is a free-lance consultant in seal behavioural biology, ecology, and welfare. Her published research has focused on mother-pup behaviour, juvenile development, and behavioural ecology of seals in the UK, North America, and the Caspian Sea
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The reasons that pinnipeds (including seals, fur seals, sea lions, and walruses) may be kept in captivity include public display in zoos and aquaria, captive breeding for conservation purposes, scientific research, and temporary captivity for rehabilitation of stranded animals (often infants). Historically, poor understanding of the natural behaviours and habitats of pinniped species may have led to limited understanding by human carers of the ways in which the social and physical environment of captive pinnipeds would affect their mental and physical state. Now, however, there is a growing plethora of literature on pinniped behaviour and ecology, which can inform modern design of captive animals’ social and physical environment in such a way as to allow the expression of the natural behaviour repertoire and full cognitive capacities and eliminate stereotypic behaviours such as patterned swimming. Deep sea environments and natural prey are seldom possible to be simulated in captivity. However, most pinnipeds are highly social around their coastal (or ice) habitats, which may therefore inform enclosure design and 3D aquatic space required for physical and mental health. Thus, studies are required to create an ethogram for each species and develop welfare assessment tools accordingly.
This Special Issue of Animals welcomes reports or reviews contributing to better understanding the needs of pinnipeds of any species in human care for any reason.
Dr. Susan C. Wilson
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- pinnipeds
- seals
- sea lions
- walruses
- captive care
- zoos
- aquaria
- seal rescue
- behaviour
- welfare assessment
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