From 26 to 28 June 2024, the picturesque coastal medieval town of Budva, Montenegro, hosted a highly anticipated LIFT Training School by WG2. This three-day event brought together 4 experts (Linda Keeling, Birte Nielsen, Annika Krause, and Rebecca Nordquist) and 28 enthusiasts from 21 countries to discuss “Methodologies to Assess Positive Animal Welfare,” featuring a comprehensive program of lectures, group work, and hands-on experiences.
Day 1 – Introduction to behavioral tests and physiological markers
The training school kicked off with a warm welcome and practical introductions by Linda Keeling. The first session, led by Birte Nielsen, provided an introduction to behavioral tests, laying the foundation for understanding animal welfare through observed behaviors. After a brief coffee break, Annika Krause delved into physiological markers, offering insights into how physical indicators can reflect animal welfare. The afternoon was dedicated to group work, with the aim to design behavioral studies related to positive animal welfare at the farm we would visit on the next day.
Day 2 – Introduction to behavioral observations Part I and Farm visit
Rebecca Nordquist opened the day with the first part of introduction to behavioral observations, a critical skill for anyone working in animal welfare science. Participants then embarked on a family farm visit near Grahovo, Western Montenegro. The family farm is a typical backyard farm that has chickens, pigs, and dairy cattle. Even though it was rainy and muddy on Day 2, all the participants were excited to meet the farmer and asked the necessary questions to improve the study design of their group work. This fieldwork allowed attendees to consider practicality and feasibility of methodologies they had chosen on Day 1 when it comes to on-farm behavioral study.
Day 3 – Introduction to behavioral observations Part II, Wrap-up, and Reflections
The final day began with a continuation of the previous day’s session on behavioral observations by Rebecca Nordquist. Following this, participants continued with the group work to analyze videos collected during the farm visit. After lunch, group members were shuffled to re-present the modifications of their study design after the visit. The day was wrapped up with group presentations on the current challenges of methodologies on measuring positive animal welfare. A bonus spontaneous social event, which was a 2-hr boat tour, was organized to conclude the 3-day training school.
This training school not only enhanced participants’ knowledge and skills in assessing positive animal welfare but also facilitated valuable networking and collaboration opportunities among professionals in the field. We would like to thank the local organizer Miroslav Kjosevski for the thoughtful event planning with fun social activities.
Written by Heng-Lun Ko
