PSIX-36 - Animal welfare and its science in Nigeria;past and present outlook

Animal welfare is becoming an interesting global issue which must be given the best of attention by researchers, producers, consumers and the governments. The need to ensure the general well-being of the wild and domestic animals in every aspect of their husbandry is mandatory now in many developed countries of the world, and poultry industries are responding positively to this new dimension of husbandry. Species of animal are sensitive to the way they are being managed in terms of housing and other handlings. Meanwhile, there is little or no concern on subjects of of applied ethology in developing areas of the world such as Africa and Asia, and particular in countries like Nigeria, where livestock production and wildlife conservation is currently experiencing tremendous growth. Unlike developing countries, issue of animal welfare are being promoted by researches, sponsored information, legislation and enforcement by relevant agencies in developed nations of the world. Factors such as poor economic and technological advancements, political instabilities, social insecurities, low level of awareness and lack of information on legal provisions on animal on animal welfare have been identified to be responsible for poor animal welfare and its science in developing countries. Despite the fact that livestock sector carries the highest percentage among agricultural facets commercially in Nigeria, the level of welfare of the domestic animals and those in the wild is still below standard. This paper is however suggesting that regardless of the level of economic development in most of the low and middle-income nations, researchers can be motivated into animal welfare science, the curricula of colleges and universities be expanded to include subjects of applied ethology, professional bodies and associations on animal welfare can be formed with international affiliations. All these may change the orientation of the people and governments in developing countries positively towards animal welfare.