Blog - Updates, News & Insights
Jun 11, 2023
What koalas can teach us about the current state of zoo design
Admittedly, koalas have a reputation for inactivity - and certainly there is a tendency for zoo designers to take that at face value; providing habitats that positively preclude activity, but an afternoon observing wild koalas shows habitat design is failing this species - as it is many more.
Jun 4, 2023
Care for the Rare Down Under!
A fantastic start to our time at Zoos Victoria working on projects as diverse as orangutan welfare priorities, tiger and elephant management and habitat design, all the way through to first people's engagement in conservation programming and welfare priority assessment.
May 28, 2023
If its wrong to pet a kiwi - what does that mean for ambassador animal programs
Recently an American based zoo offended New Zealand by offering the nation's national bird up for petting experiences, leading to an end in the program. What does this tell us about "ambassador" animal programs?
May 25, 2023
Care for the Rare to Address Taiwanese Association of Zoos & Aquariums on Innovations in Welfare-Based Design & Management
Care for the Rare share's the latest insights into welfare-based zoo design and management with the Taiwanese Zoo community, as well as running workshops on mixed species habitat management.
May 8, 2023
Why the missing ingredient to improving animal welfare, is so often understanding what really matters to animals
Unlocking the secrets to animal welfare - Care for the Rare sheds light on how we establish what really matters to animals to inform our habitat designs and management plans. We also explain how a failure to identify and focus on the actual needs of species in many enrichment programs is negatively impacting welfare.
May 5, 2023
Welfare priority assessment for orangutan launched
Care for the Rare launches an AWPIS welfare priority assessment for Orangutan - as the least social of the great apes, we are excited to see what we'll learn about this species' needs to help inform habitat design and management in zoos and rescue / rehab facilities
Apr 30, 2023
Collaboration with Four Paws International deepens
Care For the Rare has worked with Four Paws for nearly a decade raising standards of animal welfare around the world in Four Paws extensive sanctuary network. As that collaboration deepens, Four Paws and Care for the Rare plan to bring the latest innovation in welfare orientated facility design to sanctuaries around the world.
Apr 13, 2023
Polar bear and zoos remains a controversial combination
Care for the Rare's AWPIS assessment on polar bears has reignited the debate on the future of polar bears in captivity. The Born Free Foundation's report on polar bears in zoos drew heavily on the finding of our assessment but came to very different conclusions than we did, find out why.
Mar 31, 2023
Forget incrementally better, try fundamentally different welfare enhancing tiger habitat
Have you ever wondered why captive tigers pace? Our AWPIS assessment of the needs of tigers revealed why, and we have been developing innovative solutions to address these needs that will re-shape the future of tiger care and facility design