Independent observations on animal welfare, behavior, and human–animal relationships.
Documenting field visits, animal behavior, and the evolving relationship between humans and animals — encouraging a more compassionate and informed world.
Animal Welfare Journal is an independent platform dedicated to observing and documenting animal welfare, behavior, and the relationship between humans and animals. Through field visits, reflections, and careful observation, the journal explores how animals live under human care and how society can move toward more compassionate practices. This platform aims to encourage awareness, education, and thoughtful discussion about the wellbeing of animals in different environments.
Observe animal welfare in real environments. Understand animal behavior through careful observation. Encourage compassion and responsible care.
Create awareness about animal welfare. Strengthen the human–animal connection. Promote a more compassionate world.
Field observations form the foundation of this journal. Through visits to zoos, wildlife parks, sanctuaries, farms, and other animal facilities, real-life conditions of animals are carefully observed and documented. These visits allow us to better understand how animals live under human care, what challenges they face, and how welfare practices can improve. Each observation aims to provide honest insights that encourage awareness and thoughtful discussion about animal wellbeing.
Animals express their needs, emotions, and intelligence through behavior. By observing how animals interact with their environment, caregivers, and other animals, we can learn about their cognitive abilities and emotional lives. This section explores patterns of behavior, adaptation, and communication that reveal how animals think and respond to the world around them, especially within human-managed environments.
Humans and animals share a long and complex relationship that shapes both societies and ecosystems. This section reflects on how animals live alongside humans in different contexts such as farms, homes, zoos, and natural habitats. It also explores the ethical responsibilities humans have toward animals and how compassionate coexistence can be strengthened through awareness, respect, and responsible care.
Education plays an important role in building empathy toward animals. When people learn about animal behavior, needs, and welfare, they are more likely to develop compassion and understanding. This section focuses on spreading knowledge that encourages people to see animals not just as creatures around us, but as living beings deserving care, respect, and protection.
Camila Zalazar is an independent animal welfare observer, journalist, and animal caretaker whose work combines field visits with daily hands-on animal management. Through observation and documentation, she explores how animals live alongside humans and how education can foster more compassionate coexistence.
Over the past three days I had the opportunity to participate in an intensive hands-on workshop focused on the application of behavior analysis with animals. The program was led by behavior specialists including Hilary Hankey and Barbara Heidenreich, and took place at Avian Behavior International and Wild Wonders (California).
Some weeks ago I visited the Eco Park in Buenos Aires — a place that once was called a zoo.
The name changed, reflecting a societal shift in how people wish to relate to animals. Along with that change, many animals were relocated, and numerous enclosures now stand empty. Walking through the park, the absence is noticeable — spaces once occupied are now quiet. In many ways, this feels both hopeful and melancholic. Fewer animals, more space. A step forward. And yet, the animals who remain still depend entirely on human care, attention, and purpose.
