Social Housing Strategies in New Zealand White Rabbits

This lecture will delve into the innovative social housing strategies for New Zealand White rabbits used in biomedical research, focusing on optimizing their welfare and the implications for research quality. New Zealand White rabbits are a predominant species used in laboratory research due to their docile nature and physiological similarities to humans. However, their complex social structures and behavioral needs pose unique challenges for housing in research settings. The session will begin with an overview of the natural social behaviors of rabbits, emphasizing the importance of social interactions for their psychological and physiological well-being. It will then explore the current standards and guidelines for rabbit housing in research facilities, highlighting the balance between welfare needs and research requirements.

The core of the lecture will examine case studies and recent research findings on social housing configurations, including pair housing, group housing, and the introduction of environmental enrichments to facilitate natural behaviors. We will discuss the benefits of these strategies, such as reduced stress levels, improved health outcomes, and enhanced reliability of research data, owing to the more naturalistic expression of behaviors. Additionally, the lecture will address the practical considerations and challenges in implementing social housing, such as space requirements, compatibility of individuals, and monitoring of social dynamics.

Methodological approaches for assessing the welfare and well-being of socially housed rabbits will be reviewed, incorporating both behavioral and physiological indicators. The lecture aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical, welfare, and scientific considerations in developing and implementing social housing strategies for New Zealand White rabbits in biomedical research. By integrating welfare principles with research objectives, the session will highlight the potential for achieving high standards of animal care that can contribute to the refinement of research practices and outcomes.