Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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Author: search.filters.author.Boys RMSubject: search.filters.subject.Animal welfare

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    Using post-mortem computed tomography to identify traumatic cranial lesions in small stranded odontocetes euthanised via ballistics
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, 2025-07-29) Boys RM; Stewart RO; Kot BCW; Lye G; Beausoleil NJ; Stockin KA
    Aims: To describe the pathophysiology caused by ballistics applied to the head of stranded cetaceans that required euthanasia and use this information to infer the likely welfare implications of these real-life euthanasia events. Methods: Post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) imaging was conducted on six cetacean carcasses of five different species that were submitted for dissection following ballistics euthanasia. No animals were euthanised for the purpose of this study. All data were collected opportunistically at stranding events where euthanasia was a priori deemed necessary by the Department of Conservation (DOC) in partnership with indigenous Māori (iwi). The cranial damage assessed included osseous lesions at entry and exit wounds, intracranial bone fractures and intracranial projectile fragments. Potential welfare implications were inferred based on the likelihood of instantaneous insensibility occurring due to direct physical disruption to the brainstem. Additionally, basic stranding data were collected from DOC incident reports including whether animals were refloated prior to the decision for euthanasia. We also gathered information from the marksperson involved on how the ballistics method was employed, equipment used, and animal insensibility assessed at each stranding event. Results: PMCT results suggest that two animals were likely instantaneously insensible, three had a moderate chance of being instantly insensible and one had a low chance of instantaneous insensibility. In one case, the marksperson reported a faster time to insensibility/death than was judged likely to have occurred from PMCT. In only two cases were the criteria for verifying insensibility reported as being checked. The likelihood of instantaneous insensibility occurring was affected by shot placement/aim and characteristics of the projectile used. Conclusions: Euthanasia is a critical option for severely compromised cetaceans. While most animals examined were probably rapidly insensible following shooting, cranial trauma and thus confidence in the efficacy of ballistics seemed to vary with shot placement, aim, equipment and cranial anatomy. Clinical relevance: Verification of insensibility immediately following shooting, by assessing reflex responses as recommended, is crucial to ensure humane emergency management. PMCT provides an effective non-destructive tool to validate field methods for assessing the efficacy of euthanasia.
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    Out of habitat marine mammals – Identification, causes, and management recommendations
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2025-07) Nunny L; Bossley M; Boys RM; Brakes P; Genov T; Parsons ECM; Peters KJ; Rose NA; Simeone CA; Stockin KA; Vail CS; van der Linde K; Visser IN; Simmonds MP
    An out of habitat (OOH) marine mammal is an individual found outside of their natural range, e.g., an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) along the coastline of mainland Europe, or an individual within their natural range in habitat that is not optimal for their health or survival due to a lack of suitable conditions and/or because of potential conflict with humans. As the number of OOH marine mammals appears to be increasing, and following on from two international workshops, here we define what constitutes an OOH marine mammal and provide a detailed assessment of potential drivers. Climate change, habitat loss and/or degradation, disturbance, changes in prey distribution, and morbidity may all be reasons for a marine mammal being OOH. Appropriate management of OOH marine mammals is considered. This may simply involve monitoring to better understand the situation, to protect the welfare of the animal(s) and to ensure that members of the public are kept safe. However, on occasion, further intervention may be required, such as providing safe areas for the OOH marine mammal(s), encouraging the animal(s) to move, capture and translocation, or euthanasia. Regardless of the action taken, educating and communicating with the public are key elements of OOH marine mammal management. Lessons can be learned from human-wildlife conflict and rewilding scenarios. The potential for OOH marine mammals to be pioneers seeking new habitat, contributing to species resilience in the face of rapidly changing environments, and how to include them in conservation legislation and management planning are considered.
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    Ethological and procedural assessment of ballistics euthanasia for stranded cetaceans
    (Elsevier B.V., 2025-02-12) Boys RM; Beausoleil NJ; Stockin KA
    Euthanasia may be necessary at cetacean stranding events to end suffering. To ensure a humane death, verification of unconsciousness must be undertaken following application of the killing method. However, only limited information is reported on individual euthanasia events, including how unconsciousness and/or death is assessed. Here, we describe current practices for euthanising stranded cetaceans in New Zealand by analysing video footage of fourteen ballistics events involving various species. Specifically, we detail the ballistics procedures applied and the behavioural responses of the animals. Additionally, we sought to understand how animal unconsciousness was evaluated following each event by surveying the personnel involved. Video recordings ranged in length from 25 to 480 s after the initial shot and involved 14 cetaceans: one Cuvier's beaked whale, one pygmy sperm whale, one bottlenose dolphin, four pilot whales and seven false killer whales. Unconsciousness criteria were typically not observed being verified in the videos analysed, despite markspersons stating that death occurred in < 1 minute for most animals. Number of shots applied to an animal ranged from 1–3. Key behaviours indicative of unconsciousness included a continuously slack lower jaw and epaxial muscle relaxation. Based on behavioural observations, 66.7 % of animals for which an estimate could be made (n = 12) were likely unconscious within 30 s of the initial shot; half of these were likely unconscious within 10 s. The remaining animals appeared conscious for 30 s after the initial shot, and half of these were likely still conscious after one minute. Ten animals displayed post-shot behaviours suggestive of voluntary control, including tail lifting, beyond the point of presumed death reported by markspersons. The lack of verification of unconsciousness in most animals (12/14) hinders our ability to understand how these behaviours may correlate with awareness and thus welfare impacts of shooting. While the application of ballistics appeared to follow current national recommendations, mandated procedures for verifying death were rarely observed. We recommend exploring the reasons for this finding, to ensure that such procedures are appropriately undertaken, and welfare compromise minimised.
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    Examining the role of human perceptions during cetacean stranding response in New Zealand
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2022-11) Stockin KA; Pawley MDM; Jarvis RM; Boys RM
    Cetacean strandings often elicit significant media attention and public engagement. However, how human perceptions of such events may influence decision-making during strandings response is poorly understood. To address this, we undertook an online questionnaire targeting stranding relevant/interested parties in New Zealand, Aotearoa to understand perceptions around stranding events and response. Participants responded to questions and statements using the 5-point Likert scale to explore human perceptions and expectations of intervention, decision-making, animal welfare and survival prognosis during strandings. Responses were analysed based on level of experience and role at stranding events using descriptive and multivariate statistics. A total of 268 respondents completed the questionnaire; most stated that human intervention is necessary to assist animals during strandings. However, 43% of respondents indicated that they did not know what affect intervention may have on the animals. Notably, participants felt that human intervention was more likely to improve survival (26%) than welfare (19%). Importantly, experienced responders appeared more welfare complacent, prioritising survival for strandings response decision-making. Respondents from the legislative agency responsible for strandings in New Zealand, indicated that public sentiment may take precedence over welfare considerations when considering euthanasia. Our results highlight a disjunct between perceptions of welfare and survival, despite these variables being inextricably linked. This may be cause for concern in highly publicised strandings events where management decisions are more likely influenced by public sentiment. Comprehensive animal assessments that are informed both by animal welfare and survival prognoses are required to ensure the best outcomes for stranded cetaceans.