This article describes the use of non-invasive methods to assess welfare status and management conditions of elephants in Indian zoos and sanctuaries, and relate these to a welfare index which was further tested around the world. The captive elephant welfare index (CEWI) was used to measure urinary ...

This chapter provides an overview of resins, which are solid, brittle substances secreted by plants into special ducts, often as a response to damage to the plant by wounding, wind or insect damage. Some major resin and oleo-gum-resin containing plants, such as myrrh, ginger, Capsicum sp. and ...

This chapter provides information on the various procedures and techniques used for the preparation of plant parasitic and soil nematode samples for transmission and scanning electron microscopy studies regarding their ultrastructural information, morphogenesis, nematode-host interactions,...

This chapter describes the behavioural measures for pain in livestock, poultry and fish that can be performed easily on the farm. It also discusses the importance of reducing fear stress. It is essential to measure serious animal welfare problems such as lameness or poor handling practices...

Calm, low-stress methods for handling cattle, sheep, pigs, and other farm animals will result in better productivity and increased human safety. People who are handling animals should be trained to understand and use basic behavioural principles such as the flight zone, point of balance, circling...

This chapter discusses pomegranate water requirements and its responses to irrigation restrictions. Pomegranate water relations are described, including water requirements and responses to water stress (in terms of yield and tree performance, fruit quality at harvest and fruit storage potential),...

This chapter discusses animal welfare in the context of slaughter and reviews the types of welfare issues that some animals can experience before and during slaughter. It shows how animal feelings such as pain, distress, fear, hunger, thirst, fatigue and discomfort can be affected by the procedures ...

When working with commercial companies, it is often more effective to actually achieve 70-80% of the desired welfare improvements than attempt to achieve 100% perfection and accomplish nothing. There are conditions that cause suffering that are always wrong and in these situations there is never a...

This chapter presents guidelines on how to assess fitness for transport, undertake on-farm euthanasia for animals not fit for transport; and develop on-farm policies to avoid transporting animals in a deteriorated and compromised condition. Also, how lairage conditions and the management of animals ...

In this chapter the factors that can cause meat quality problems during handling and transport of meat animals were discussed as well as on the importance of low-stress handling to maintain meat quality. Topics that were also given emphasis includes how on-farm conditions have an effect on meat...