1
|
Burmeister AK, Drasch K, Rinder M, Prechs S, Peschel A, Korbel R, Saam NJ. The owner-bird relationship: Relevance for pet bird welfare. Anim Welf 2022. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.1.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Empathy and anthropomorphism, well-established components of the human-pet relationship, are considered to be especially related to pet animal welfare. We have developed a systematic and standardised approach to explore the effect of the human-pet relationship on animal welfare, focusing
on pet birds. Based on a data set measuring the owner-bird relationship as well as bird welfare, cluster analysis and multivariate regressions were used to identify empirical types of bird owners and analyse their effect on bird welfare. Five empirical types of bird owners were identified
based on the multi-dimensional relationship between owner and bird which consisted of: (i) the closeness-appreciating anthropomorphising owner; (ii) the closeness-appreciating socially supported owner; (iii) the anthropomorphising socially supported owner; (iv) the inattentive owner; and (v)
the distance-appreciating owner. These differed in terms of the owner's tendency to anthropomorphism, the social support the bird provides to the owner, the empathy, attentiveness and respect of the owner towards the bird, and the bird's relationship with the owner. In particular, the inattentive
type, but also both anthropomorphising types, raised serious questions as to the well-being of the pet bird. We found significant correlations to bird behaviour, such as imprinting aspects, aggressiveness towards humans, conspecifics and other pet animals, as well as behavioural disorders,
such as locomotor stereotypies, courtship behaviour towards humans and feather-plucking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A-K Burmeister
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - K Drasch
- Institute of Sociology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - M Rinder
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - S Prechs
- Institute of Sociology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - A Peschel
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - R Korbel
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Birds, Small Mammals, Reptiles and Ornamental Fish, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - NJ Saam
- Institute of Sociology, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bose-O'Reilly S, Drasch G, Beinhoff C, Tesha A, Drasch K, Roider G, Taylor H, Appleton D, Siebert U. Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Tanzania. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408:796-805. [PMID: 19945738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2003 UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) conducted an environmental and health assessment in a small-scale mining area in Tanzania. BGS (British Geological Survey) performed the environmental assessment. The Institute of Forensic Medicine - University of Munich performed the health assessment. The results of the medical, neurological and neuro-psychological examination of 180 participants from the affected area of Rwamagasa and 31 controls were analyzed. Urine, blood and hair samples were analyzed to detect the level of mercury body burden. Mercury concentrations in the bio-monitors urine, blood and hair were statistically significantly higher in the exposed population from Rwamagasa compared to the control group from Katoro. Only amalgam burners showed mercury levels above the toxicological threshold limits. A speciation of mercury in hair indicated that mainly elemental mercury vapor contributed to the high body burden of the artisanal miners. 104 amalgam-burners, the most exposed population group, were examined. 25 of these workers were found to be intoxicated. Small-scale mining is a serious health hazard for amalgam burners. Reduction of the exposure is essential to prevent further damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Bose-O'Reilly
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT - University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard Wallnoefer Center I, A-6060 Hall i.T., Austria.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|