JMICAWE activities in China

This week Heather Bacon of the JMICAWE is in China, meeting with representatives from several organisations in order to promote animal welfare.

Working with the China Association of Zoo Gardens, the North-Eastern Forestry University, Animals Asia Foundation and Humane Society International, an animal welfare-focussed educational programme has been delivered to staff from zoos and aquaria around China utilising expertise from the UK and USA.  Additionally, discussions with Professor Zhao of the law department at the North-Eastern Forestry University have highlighted the already well-established dedication to animal welfare education present in China.

Professor Zhao lectures in law and focuses on animal welfare policy. As an advisor to the provincial government she is responsible for developing and advising on animal welfare policy relating to livestock husbandry and transport, and undertook her PhD research on zoo animal welfare assessment in China. She is one of a growing number of dedicated animal welfare experts, eager to develop and share their knowledge of this relatively new academic discipline.

We look forward to further interactions with more of China’s animal welfare champions later in the year.

Photo L-R= Prof Zhao, Margaret Whittaker Active Environments, Dr Sonya Hill Animal Welfare Scientists Chester zoo, Dave Neale Animals Asia, HJB JMICAWE, Teresa Telecky Humane Society International, Lisa Yang Animals Asia.