This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Animals fulfill a wide range of roles in human society. They provide food, contribute to scientific research, live alongside people as companion animals, and play important roles in education, conservation, research and public engagement through zoos.
As a result, the conditions under which animals are kept differ considerably. Although nearly all forms of animal husbandry are governed by legal regulations and oversight, public perceptions of these practices vary widely. In a study conducted at Goethe University Frankfurt, researchers compared how students assess five different forms of animal husbandry: conventional livestock farming, organic livestock farming, zoo animal husbandry, laboratory animal husbandry and pet ownership.
The research is published in the journal npj Veterinary Sciences. "Previous research has typically focused on individual areas, such as livestock farming or zoos," says Raya Wolf, lead author of the study from the university's Department of Biology Education and Zoo Biology. "Until now, there has been no study directly comparing public perceptions across these different forms of animal husbandry." The survey included 1,143 Goethe University students from a broad range of academic disciplines.
Participants were asked to rate their level of concern about the various forms of animal husbandry. A clear pattern emerged: Conventional livestock farming, laboratory animal husbandry and, most notably, zoo animal husbandry were viewed critically, whereas pet ownership and organic livestock farming received significantly more favorable assessments. "One of the most surprising findings was that respondents viewed zoo animal husbandry even more critically than conventional livestock farming," says Professor Paul Dierkes, head of the Department of Biology Education and Zoo Biology.
Overall, keeping animals in zoos received the most negative ratings. Although participants were not asked to explain their views, the researchers suggest that many people primarily associate zoos with entertainment rather than species conservation or education. Public debates on social media, where discussions about zoos are often highly emotional, may also have influenced these perceptions.
The findings also reveal marked differences between demographic groups. Female students expressed greater concern than their male counterparts about almost every form of animal husbandry, with the largest gender gap observed in attitudes toward laboratory animal husbandry. Pet ownership was the only category in which men and women held broadly similar views.
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