The aim of the study is to understand the existing gaps in wild animal welfare in Ugandan wildlife captive centres. This gap will be investigated in terms of knowledge, attitude, practices towards the zoo animals' needs and identifying indicators of animal welfare.

The study will: (1) determine wild animal handlers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices around animal welfare, and (2) identify the areas of greatest need for captive animal facilities to institute good animal welfare practice through a survey of those working with wild animals in the main captive facilities in Uganda.

Data will be collected using a mix of both structured and unstructured questions using Kobo collect, a mobile data collection application. The questionnaire will be administered via face-to-face interviews. The survey will focus on knowledge of animal welfare humane and sustainable conservation, impact of COVID-19 on personnel performance and zoo animals’ welfare condition, gender and conservation, prioritising resources for critical contemporary issues, and areas of unmet needs for captive facilities. Descriptive statistics will be used to give a clear picture of main variables.

The project output will include:
• A report on animal handlers’ knowledge, practices and attitudes around animal welfare and areas of unmet needs.
• Providing information on Current status of animal welfare among professional animal handlers
• Policy brief/recommendations on best animal welfare practices.