Animals in research
We maintain a high regard for animal welfare.
 Baby stoat reared in captivity. |
Animals are essential to our research on protecting biodiversity and managing pests. Manaaki Whenua has a genuine commitment to the welfare and well-being of all animals (endangered native species or introduced pests) that goes beyond the minimum standard. Our duty of care involves preventing undue pain or distress. Researchers and our Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) work together so that pain and distress can be avoided or minimised. Animals kept in captivity are housed in purpose-built facilities.
All our research involving manipulations of live animals in the field or in captivity is approved by Manaaki Whenua’s Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), which comprises two Manaaki Whenua scientists, and representatives of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Ma-ori and the public. The AEC’s role is to ensure our use of animals for research is kept to a minimum, complies with the Animal Welfare Act, and follows strict ethical guidelines and operating procedures. In the 2003 calendar year, applications were approved to use animals as part of three ecological studies of native and introduced species, in 26 trials of new and improved methods of pest control, and two studies of the role of animals in transfer of Tb between species.
Work where animals are handled, including catching and banding birds, requires prior approval from the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Trapping possums in the field does not require AEC approval. Nevertheless, staff have a responsibility to minimise suffering and must dispatch trapped possums quickly and humanely.
At the conclusion of AEC-approved projects, the number of animals ‘used’ and
their fate are reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
on a calendar-year basis as required.
Table of animals used in AEC-approved
projects »
As part of our efforts to monitor and reduce the number of non-target
animals caught during fieldwork, we record all animals caught during
all fieldwork — including AEC-approved fieldwork and trapping where
no AEC approval is required. These data are summarised here.
Detailed information - bycatch
data »
| Studies involving animals | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| No of studies 1 | 22 | 28 | 25 |
| No of target animals captured | 10 307 | 8631 | 11 845 |
| No of non-target introduced animals caught 2 | 1622 | 494 | 573 |
| No of non-target native animals caught 3 | 322 | 179 | 46 |
| No of non-target native animals killed | 40 | 5 | 5 4 |
1 These data are for calendar years.
2 Most
(79–98%) of captured non-target native animals captured
were released. Non-target native species caught were fantail, grey warbler,
harrier hawk, kākā, kea, pukeko, red-billed gull, rifleman,
robin, silvereye, tomtit, and weka.
3 Generally
less than half (32–48%) of introduced animals captured
were released (except in 2003 when 76% were released). The remainder
were killed either during capture or by euthanasia. Non-target introduced
species were mainly hedgehogs, feral cats, possums, rats, stoats, and
magpies.
4 Three weka and two robins
were killed. As in 2002, we conducted no ferret trapping, which has associated
harrier hawk mortality.
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Phil Cowan
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Science Manager Phone: (06) 356 7154 |
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