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Session One: Perspectives on Animal Welfare Considerations Between Laboratory Animal and Free-Ranging Fish and Wildlife Field Research
Pages 5-14

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From page 5...
... Speakers provided key similarities and differences between animal welfare issues in the context of wildlife research versus traditional biomedical research. Speakers explored the common challenges encountered when working with free-ranging wildlife in the field, the myriad of logistical and regulatory constraints that affect how fieldwork is carried out, and the many benefits wildlife research offers for enhancing understanding of the unique biology of a wide array of diverse species, how they interact with their ecosystem, and the impacts humans have on wildlife and natural habitats.
From page 6...
... Building on his point that the main differences between wildlife research and typical laboratory animal research is that the animals are not domesticated, Sikes pointed out that biomedical research typically involves a limited number of species. Even the strains selected are often highly inbred specifically to reduce genetic variability or statistical noise around the phenomenon of interest, he said.
From page 7...
... The next key event Sikes noted was the passage of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
From page 8...
... Sikes explained that in studying wild animals the final concern is the disposition of the captive animals. In most cases these animals cannot be returned to the wild for a number of reasons.
From page 9...
... She described several key animal welfare challenges NSF-funded wildlife researchers have encountered. First, she said that anesthesia or euthanasia practices developed for captive-bred animal models do not always have the same effect on wild animals.
From page 10...
... , outlined some of the main difficulties that both regulators and IACUCs face in research involving the use of free-living wild animals and reframed them as opportunities for collaborative and productive problem solving. She began by stating that the HREA provides the statutory mandate for the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (HHS 2015)
From page 11...
... FIGURE 1-1 Examples of activities that are exempt and regulated under the Animal Welfare Act regulations. SOURCE: Clarke presentation, USDA APHIS–Animal Care.
From page 12...
... She also asked how the IACUC can work with researchers to answer such questions. The NIH OLAW guidance in FAQ E.4 further states that IACUCs need not conduct inspections of field sites, but there are health and safety and animal welfare issues to consider.
From page 13...
... AAALAC and the accredited programs being assessed recognize the value of including peer subject-matter experts for the review of research and teaching programs enrolling free-ranging wildlife in field research. The AAALAC Council committees review the guidelines proposed for adoption as a reference resource, much like an IACUC would review a proposal with attention to animal welfare and consistency with other AAALAC standards and reference resources, he said.
From page 14...
... who is most familiar with the peculiarities and attributes of the wild animal being studied, Wyatt said, differentiating them from the more traditional captive-bred laboratory animals with whom IACUCs are most experienced. The challenges posed to IACUCs by free-ranging wildlife proposals may appear daunting but are relatively easily addressed with an openness to collaboration and listening, as well as awareness of the taxonomic species-specific guidelines adopted by AAALAC, Wyatt added.


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