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Captive dolphins ‘anticipate’ human interaction
The study analysed the behaviours displayed by captive dolphins before an upcoming event.
Study measures how captive dolphins feel about their environment

Dolphins in captivity look forward to spending time with humans and value interactions with people over toys, a new study has found.

The study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, analysed the behaviours displayed by captive dolphins before an upcoming event. The researchers found that dolphins showed more anticipatory behaviour before interacting with humans than they did with toys.

“Our results suggest that toys and Human-Animal Interactions were perceived as rewarding events, and we propose that non-food human interactions play an important role in these animals’ lives,” the researchers conclude.

The study took place at
Parc Astérix - a theme park close to Paris containing one of the largest dolphinariums in France. Speaking to BBC News, lead researcher Dr Isabella Clegg said that she wanted to find out what activities in captivity dolphin like most.

Dr Clegg and her team used sound cues to condition the dolphins to the arrival of toys in their pool or a positive human-animal interaction with a familiar trainer. They measured the dolphin’s anticipatory behaviour before each event.

"We found a really interesting result - all dolphins look forward most to interacting with a familiar human," Dr Clegg told BBC News. The animals displayed their excitement by surface looking and spy hopping (where the animal pokes its head out of the water).

The team also found that the dolphins would increase their activity level and spend more time around the edge of the pool.

"We've seen this same thing in other zoo animals and in farm animals," said Dr Clegg. "Better human-animal bonds equals better welfare."

The study is the first of its kind to show that anticipatory behaviour is related to the level of participation in the following event. Researchers hope the work will prompt further research to assess and improve the welfare of animals in captivity. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.