Animal Welfare Expert Considers Whole Animal

ANALYSIS - Dr Francoise Wemelsfelder, animal behaviourist and welfare scientist, has developed scientific approaches for the study of animals as whole beings, bringing insights from philosophy of mind and social psychology and anthropology into the study of animal emotion.

7 July 2014

2 minute read

By: Sarah Mikesell

In collaboration with colleagues from Scotland's Rural College and other institutes, Dr Francoise Wemelsfelder has developed and validated a methodology for the study of animal body language and subjective experience, generally referred to as ‘Qualitative Behaviour Assessment’ (QBA).

Her current work focuses on the application of this method as a practical tool for welfare management in farm, zoo and companion animals. Research interests associated with this work are animal boredom and environmental enrichment.

Benchmark Sustainability Science - FAI Farms

Sarah Mikesell

Editor

Sarah Mikesell grew up on a five-generation family farming operation in Ohio, USA, where her family still farms. She feels extraordinarily lucky to get to do what she loves - write about livestock and crop agriculture. You can find her on Twitter or LinkedIn.