Abstract
Field research methods to study wild animals are divided into two major categories, lethal and non-lethal method. Lethal research often is an essential component when investigators conduct systematic zoology, comparative anatomy, disease assessment, food preference studies, environmental contaminant evaluations and other various scientific tasks. Objective assessment of a lethal research plan should involve the following points; 1) there is not duplicate information already available in the scientific literature or presently collected accessible scientific samples, 2) proposed information can not be collected with non-lethal methods, 3) the methods of collection should minimize the potential for the taking of non target species, 4) the number, age class and sex of collections to be taken should be as appropriate for data evaluation as possible, 5) proposed number to be taken should not have a negative impact on the natural population or local stock of the species, and 6) the animal to be taken should be killed as quickly as possible by the appropriate method. In Japan, lethal research of wild animals is applied to various species from small rodents to large whales. However, evaluation for the animal welfare aspect of the research method is different by each investigator and/or research organization because of there is no applicable law in existence. The JSZWM Animal welfare committee will aim to develop guidelines for wild animal use in Japan to establish a clear and specific animal welfare reference for field researchers.
