Captivity-Induced Depression in Animals

Benjamin Lecorps; Daniel M Weary; Marina A G von Keyserlingk

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.010

Captivity-Induced Depression in Animals

Trends Cogn Sci. 2021 Jul;25(7):539-541. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.010. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Authors

Benjamin Lecorps¹, Daniel M Weary¹, Marina A G von Keyserlingk²

Affiliations

¹ Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada.
² Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z6, Canada. Electronic address: marina.vonkeyserlingk@ubc.ca.

PMID: 33867270
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2021.03.010

Abstract

Concern over the welfare of captive animals is growing. Captivity is often associated with frequent exposure to stressors, which may be the source of persistent negative affective states. We argue that captivity may lead to depressive-like states and call for more research on this topic.

Keywords: affective states; animal welfare; nonhuman animals; suffering.

MeSH terms

Animal Welfare*
Animals
Depression*