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"Choice and control" is a phrase used widely in animal welfare science to describe providing captive animals with the ability to select between possible outcomes (stimuli or events). This concept has gained traction as a pivotal management technique across a variety of captive settings; however, little has been done to quantitatively evaluate choice as a welfare-improving practice. Our goal was to use a PRISMA framework to identify and review the current empirical literature on the welfare effects of choice provisions by examining measurable behavioural and biological outcomes. We evaluated choice-based studies which used an experiment design to compare choice to non-choice conditions and the impact of choice on welfare. Covidence software was used to screen and extract data from peer-reviewed literature identified across PubMed, Web of Science Advanced, and Scopus Advanced databases. Study inclusion was contingent upon a methodology which offered options for at least two or more stimuli/events given concurrently and which also contrasted a choice condition to a non-choice condition. A total of 13 papers were identified and included in this review. The majority of the papers included choices associated with enclosure access, food, and enrichment devices which resulted in improved behavioral and physiological welfare indicators across zoological, agricultural, and research laboratory settings. However, the presence of a couple papers reporting unclear or neutral impacts highlighted the need for further empirical research into the welfare impacts of choice. Increased experimental examinations with a wider range of captive settings and species are discussed and considered necessary to better comprehend the welfare benefits of providing increased choice opportunities for captive animals. [Display omitted] • Choice is considered a critical component of captive animal welfare. • We conducted a scoping review of experimental studies of choice and welfare. • Most choice studies were conducted with mammals, in zoos, and on enclosure manipulations. • Most studies showed a positive effect from a choice condition, but more research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of evidence-based zoo animal welfare science and the use of the 'five domains' have inspired zoos to increase animal welfare, particularly recognising positive welfare states. We tested whether natural biology (number of habitats, latitudinal range, sociality, body weight) or husbandry variables (mean age of group, group size and presence of extra enrichment) predict rates of positive welfare indicators (activity, play and engagement with the environment) in the Order Carnivora from collecting data from previously published articles. For each behaviour, species (n = 23) medians were analysed using phylogenetically informed mixed-model regression. Activity data were from 136 animals (n = 23 species), environmental interaction from 55 animals (n = 15 species) and play from 27 animals (n = 7 species). Biological variables did not predict rates of behaviour at a species or an individual animal level, but husbandry variables did. At an individual level, activity and play decreased in older animals. Activity and interaction with environment also increased with additional enrichment. This study is the first to quantify positive behaviours performed by zoo housed Carnivora and shows that they display indicators of positive welfare, if appropriate husbandry including environmental enrichment is provided. • Natural biological variables do not predict the rate of positive indicators of welfare in zoo housed carnivores. • Enrichment and age of the group predict the rate of activity, interaction with the environment and play behaviour in zoo carnivores. • When appropriate husbandry is provided, zoo housed carnivores display indicators of positive welfare. • This is the first paper to quantify positive behavioural indicators of welfare across multiple species. • Validated positive welfare indicators are needed across taxa to help track an overall net gain in welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]