Purdue hosting meeting of international animal behavior group

July 6, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Department of Animal Sciences will co-host the 45th Congress for the International Society for Applied Ethology in Indianapolis this summer with the Purdue-based Livestock Behavior Research Unit of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

More than 300 participants are expected from nearly 30 countries to discuss animal behavior, welfare and enrichment issues, said Jeremy Marchant-Forde, an adjunct professor of animal sciences, USDA-ARS scientist and chairman of the conference's organizing committee.

“From the U.S. perspective, there is increasing attention being paid to animal welfare issues, especially in farm animals,” Marchant-Forde said. “We want to best meet animals’ environmental and behavioral needs while also addressing societal concerns and stakeholder interests.”

Marchant-Forde said special attention will be paid to animal enrichment issues for zoos and laboratory animals - two areas the organization is trying focus more attention on - while also engaging the veterinary community.

This is only the third time the annual conference has been held in the United States. It will be July 31 to Aug. 4 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis.

For more information, go to https://www.ars.usda.gov/meetings/isae2011
     
Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu

Source: Jeremy Marchant-Forde, 765-494-6358, marchant@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page