People

The staff of the Laboratory include the Director (Barbara de Mori), the Scientific Advisor (Pierfrancesco Biasetti), and Associates both from Padua University and from other institutions.

Scientific board

• Director – Prof. Barbara de Mori
  Scientific Advisor – Dr. Pierfrancesco Biasetti (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research)
• Scientific Advisor – Prof. Dr. Thomas B. Hildebrandt (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research)
• Scientific Advisor – Drh. (Vet). Fitriya Nur Annisa Dewi
• Honorary Member (In Memoriam) – Prof. Bernard Rollin

Affiliates:

• Elena Mercugliano – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Mattia Pozzebon – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Simone Basile – PhD Student in Veterinary Science and Food Safety, University of Padua - Cycle XXXIX
• Avery Ronan Elijah Indovina – PhD Student in Veterinary Science and Food Safety, University of Padua - Cycle XL
• Syifa Alya – PhD Student in Veterinary Science and Food Safety, University of Padua - Cycle XL
• Francesco Andreucci – Veterinarian, expert in risk assessment
• Massimo Facchinetti – Lawyer, expert in patents and biotechnology
• Daniela Florio –Veterinarian, specialist in aquariology

  Collaborations

The Laboratory collaborates with the following institutions:

Avantea (Italy), Acquario di Genova (Italy), CHCC - Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence (USA), Colorado State University (USA), Colossal Biosciences (USA), Conservation and Research Fund e.V. (Germany), DFFE - Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (South Africa), Federparchi (Italy), Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia (Italy), Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany), IEA - Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (Italy), IPB University (Indonesia), Istituto italiano di Bioetica (Italy), IZSLER - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (Italy), IZSVe - Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Italy), Kenya Wildlife Service (Kenya), Kyushu University (Japan), Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany), Mandai Wildlife Reserve (Singapore), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) (Germany), Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya), Parco Natura Viva (Italy), Safari Park Dvůr Králové (Czech Republic), Sapienza Università di Roma (Italy), SZN Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (Italy), Taman Safari (Indonesia), University of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Fribourg (Switzerland), University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Osaka (Japan), WWF Lecco (Italy), Zoom Torino (Italy).

  Research and Projects

Main Research Lines

• Animal welfare ethics
• Conservation ethics
• Food ethics
• Research ethics
• Veterinary ethics

Recent Projects

“ETHAS - Ethical assessment checklists for biodiversity conservation” (https://www.ethas.org/) - Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: Conservation and Research Fund e.V. (Germany); Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany).

“Exploring the ethical and social dimensions of human-carnivore coexistence in anthropogenic environments” - Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: IEA Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (Rome); Sapienza Università di Roma (Italy); Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence, Colorado State University (USA).

“Ethical Self-Assessment Implementation in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Biobanking in Indonesian Sumatran Rhinoceros”. Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: ⁠Indonesian Center for ART and Biobanking, IPB University (Indonesia); Indonesian Ministry of Forestry – Kemenhut, (Indonesia); ⁠⁠Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany); Sumatran Rhinoceros Sanctuary Way Kambas National Park, led by Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI) (Indonesia); Way Kambas National Park Agency (Indonesia); Taman Safari Indonesia (Indonesia); Suaka Badak Kelian East Kalimantan (Sumatran Rhinoceros Sanctuary in East Kalimantan), conducted by BKSDA Kalimantan Timur (Indonesian National Resource Conservation Agency of East Kalimantan) and ALeRT Indonesia (The Alliance of Integrated Forest Conservation).

“Ethical Matrix Workshop and Ethical Self-Assessment Implementation in Javan Rhinoceros Translocation”. Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: Indonesian Center for ART and Biobanking, IPB University (Indonesia); Indonesian Ministry of Forestry – Kemenhut (Indonesia); Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany);⁠  ⁠⁠Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI), (Indonesia); ⁠Ujung Kulon National Park Agency (Indonesia).

“Ethical Self-Assessment Implementation in Sumatran Rhinoceros Translocation”. Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: Indonesian Center for ART and Biobanking, IPB University (Indonesia); Indonesian Ministry of Forestry – Kemenhut (Indonesia); Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany);⁠ ALeRT Alliance of Integrated Forest Conservation (Indonesia).

“Ethical Self-Assessment for Museum Sample Collection and Ancient DNA Analysis” Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partners: Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Germany);⁠ Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (Germany).

“SeaInsights – Investigating the Sea: Stimulating better protection and management of the Upper Adriatic Sea through biodiversity monitoring based on environmental DNA (eDNA), with the involvement of the public” Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia, Project co-funded by the European Union. Lead Partner: University of Ljubljana. Project partners: University of Padua (Italy); Morigenos - slovensko društvo za morske sesalce (Slovenia); APS Dolphin Biology and Conservation (Italy); DivjaLabs, razvoj in raziskave, d.o.o. (Slovenia); Shoreline Soc. Coop. (Italy).

"Development of a checklist to evaluate ethically relevant aspects in the application of ARTs in domestic species". Project partners: AVANTEA, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies (Italy): University of Padua (Italy).

“Ethics and Media: integrating ethical assessment and media content analysis to explore social conflicts over wildlife” - Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partner: IZSVe Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Italy).

"A European Wildlife Network for Mammals and Birds" (SOA6 - Action 2) within the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUP AH&W). Leading Partner: Swedish Veterinary Institute SVA (Sweden). Project partners: Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety AGES (Austria), French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety ANSES (France), French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development CIRAD (France), Spanish National Research Council CSIC (Spain), European Food Safety Authority EFSA (EU), Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health FLI (Germany), National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research INIAV (Portugal), French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment INRAE (France), National Institute of Health ISS (Italy), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale” IZS-Teramo (Italy), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna IZSLER (Italy), Norwegian Veterinary Institute NVI (Italy), National Veterinary Research Institute in Puławy / PIWet-PIB (Poland), Sciensano (Belgium), Statens Serum Institut SSI (Denmark), University of Surrey SURREY (United Kingdom), Swedish Veterinary Institute SVA (Sweden), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover TiHo (Germany), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona UAB (Spain), University of Castilla-La Mancha UCLM (Spain), University of Copenhagen UCPH (Denmark), University of Ljubljana UL (Slovenia), University of Padua UNIPD (Italy), University of Sassari UNISS (Italy), University of Turin UNITO (Italy), Utrecht University UU (Netherlands), Wageningen University & Research WR (Netherlands).

“Wildlife management and conservation in South Africa: informing legislative reform through expert consultation using the Policy Delphi methodology”. Scientific coordinator: Barbara de Mori. Project partner: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (South Africa).

“Realizzazione di un toolkit per la valutazione del benessere degli animali custoditi nei giardini zoologici” Scientific Coordinator: Sara Rota Nodari (IZSLER Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Italy). Project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. Other partners: Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (Italy); IZSUM Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche (Italy); and IZSPLV Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta (Italy).

“BioRescue Project” for the conservation of the Northern White Rhinoceros. Consortium Coordinator: Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (German). Project partners: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine MCD (Germany); AVANTEA, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies (Italy); Zoo Dvur Kralove (Check Republic); Kyushu University, Faculty of Medical Sciences (Japan).

“Animal-Visitor Interaction Protocol (AVIP)” Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori (Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare). Project partners: Zoom Torino (Italy); Department of Veterinary Science, Università di Torino (Italy); Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia (Italy); Acquario di Cattolica (Italy); Conservation Guardians (South Africa).

“Zoo Ethical Reputation Survey ZERS” Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori (Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare). Project partners: Goethe University, Frankfurt (Germany); Opel Zoo (Germany); Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia (Italy); Università Niccolò Cusano (Italy).

“Scientific Welfare Assessment for Captive Elephants (Loxodanta africana) and Conservation Ethics in South Africa". Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori (Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare). Project partners: UKZN University (South Africa); National Zoological Gardens (South Africa), Conservation Guardians (South Africa).

“L’uomo e la natura nel Parco del Monte Barro” Scientific Coordinator: Barbara de Mori (Ethics Laboratory for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare). Project partners: Associazione WWF Lecco (Italy); Parco Monte Barro (Italy), Department of Political and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, (Italy); Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, (Italy).

  Education and Training

Staff based in the Laboratory of Ethics contribute to teaching across bachelor’s, master’s, single-cycle degree programmes, and postgraduate specialisation courses. The following courses are offered periodically.

Developing a Future for Wildlife: An Integrated Approach to Conservation – Short Specialisation Course, University of Padua
Our Short Specialisation Degree in Integrated Wildlife Conservation trains professionals specialized in the protection and management of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Attendees will develop an integrated theoretical and technical/practical One Health approach to managing wild animals and species/habitat preservation projects, with a focus on sustainability and local conflict management.
https://uel.unipd.it/en/masters/sfs-developing-a-future-for-wildlife-an-integrated-approach-to-conservation/

Course of Veterinary Bioethics
This course is mainly aimed at veterinarians. The goal of this course is to analyze the basic ethical issues concerning veterinary medicine and to equip participants with ethical competencies, skills, and tools useful for facing difficult choices with a professional, coherent, and open attitude.

Course of Animal Welfare Ethics
This course is aimed at professionals involved in all kinds of animal use: agriculture, research and experimentation, veterinary medicine, conservation, natural and zoological parks, animal-assisted interventions, etc. The aim of the course is to develop ethical competencies regarding the various aspects of the relationship between humans and animals and to explore the different meanings of the concept of animal welfare.

Course of Conservation Education

This course is aimed at people who would like to increase their knowledge and skills in conservation, conservation education, sustainability, and communication in conservation projects. It is a multidisciplinary effort concerning the promotion and communication of conservation practices. The issue of conservation is analyzed from the different perspectives of its economic, sociological, and educational aspects.

Course of Ethics and environmental economics

The course Ethics and Environmental Economics aims to introduce students to the concepts and methods in environmental ethics and environmental economics to understand and analyze the causes and consequences of the environmental problems our communities and our planet are facing. The course will cover presentations on the bidirectional relationship between the environment and the economic system, and the role of ethics and economics in understanding and analyzing this two-way relationship in particular. The first part of the course covers main topics related to Environmental Ethics such as environmental value, environmental justice, and climate justice. The second part covers main topics related to Environmental and Resources Economics such as environmental externalities, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, environmental policies, sustainable development, and global environmental problems (e.g., climate change, biodiversity loss) and actions to address them.

  Consultancy

The Laboratory of Ethics for Veterinary Medicine, Conservation, and Animal Welfare offers consultancy services on ethical issues related to the management and treatment of non-human animals for both private and public institutions. Our affiliates also provide talks and seminars on a range of topics pertaining to animal ethics.

In particular, we offer consultancy on ethically relevant issues in fields such as:

-        Ex-situ and In-situ Conservation Practices: Supporting the development of ethical assessments in conservation projects and education, promoting public awareness, and strengthening the ethical training of professionals and operators.

-        Veterinary Medicine: Advancing veterinary ethics and supporting ethical assessment in clinical and research contexts, providing practitioners with effective tools to navigate complex ethical decisions.

-        Laboratory and Farm Animals: Providing guidance that promotes animal welfare and responds to emerging societal concerns regarding the treatment of animals in research and agricultural settings.

-        Communication: Enhancing awareness of ethical issues concerning animals and addressing sensitive aspects of ethical communication within scientific, institutional, and public contexts.

  Journal

The Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research (JAAER) is an international and interdisciplinary scientific publication edited by Bernard Rollin and Barbara de Mori. It publishes original peer-reviewed research, technical studies, and reviews that bring to light ethically relevant issues connected with wildlife management, companion animals, laboratory animals, and animals used in agriculture, research, animal-assisted interventions, and conservation programs. The Journal places particular emphasis on research that explores ethical issues and ethical reasoning related to animal welfare and care in veterinary medicine, conservation, applied ethology, and animal welfare science.

Aims and Scope: The Journal aims to foster the growth of ethical awareness and expertise concerning animal welfare and care, and to promote informed debate on moral issues related to the human–animal relationship. We seek to bring this discussion beyond the boundaries of academic and scientific circles, making it accessible to a broader audience of professionals and non-professionals who work directly with animals. The Journal of Applied Animal Ethics Research is intended as a valuable resource for all animal scientists and practitioners involved in animal care and management (such as veterinarians, biologists, conservationists, physicians, keepers, and others) as well as for anyone interested in animal welfare and applied ethics.

Print ISSN: 2588-9559

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/25889567-12340001

  Publications

Mercugliano, E., Boshoff, M., Dissegna, A., Cerizza, A. F., Laner, L., Indovina, A. E., ... & De Mori, B. (2025). Wildlife management and conservation in South Africa: informing legislative reform through expert consultation using the Policy Delphi methodology. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, 1549222.

Basile, S., Mercugliano, E., Carraro, S., Biasetti, P., Mascarello, G., Pinto, A., ... & de Mori, B. (2025). Integrating ethical assessment and media content analysis to explore social conflicts over large carnivores. Biological Conservation, 310, 111342.

de Mori, B., Mercugliano, E., Cerizza, A. F., Biasetti, P., Florio, D., Da Re, R., ... & Rota Nodari, S. (2025). An E-Delphi study to facilitate animal welfare assessment in Italian zoos and aquaria. PloS one, 20(1), e0309760

de Mori, B., Mercugliano, E., Cerizza, A. F., Biasetti, P., Florio, D., Da Re, R., ... & Rota Nodari, S. (2025). An E-Delphi study to facilitate animal welfare assessment in Italian zoos and aquaria. PloS one, 20(1), e0309760.

Nanni, V., Mercugliano, E., Soler, S., Biasetti, P., Mammola, S., Guadagnini, R., ... & De Mori, B. (2024). A gap in media communication of human-bear conflicts management. Biological Conservation, 294, 110626.

de Mori, B., Mercugliano, E., Biasetti, P., Pollastri, I., Spiriti, M. M., Florio, D., ... & Hildebrandt, T. B. (2024). The ethical assessment of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in wildlife conservation. Biological Conservation, 290, 110423.

Mercugliano, E., Messina, V., Bonelli, M., Manenti, R., Scaccini, D., Ferrante, L., ... & de Mori, B. (2023). Human Dimensions and Visitors’ Perspective in Freshwater Crayfish Conservation: The Case of a Protected Area in Italy. Diversity, 15(9), 999.

Biasetti, P., Mercugliano, E., Schrade, L., Spiriti, M. M., Göritz, F., Holtze, S., ... & de Mori, B. (2024). Ethical assessment of genome resource banking (GRB) in wildlife conservation. Cryobiology, 117, 104956.

Muzzo, A., Pollastri, I., Biasetti, P., Vogt, G., Manenti, R., & de Mori, B. (2023). Ethical reasoning and participatory approach towards achieving regulatory processes for animal-visitor interactions (AVIs) in South Africa. Plos one, 18(3), e0282507.

Biasetti P, Hildebrandt TB, Göritz F, Hermes R, Holtze S, Galli C, Lazzari G, Colleoni S, Pollastri I, Spiriti MM, Stejskal J, Seet S, Zwilling J, Ngulu S, Mutisya S, Kariuki L, Lokolool I, Omondo P, Ndeereh D and de Mori B (2022). Ethical Analysis of the Application of Assisted Reproduction Technologies in Biodiversity Conservation and the Case of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) Ovum Pick-Up Procedures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9.

Pollastri, I., Normando, S., Florio, D., Ferrante, L., Bandoli, F., Macchi, E., Muzzo, A., de Mori, B. (2022). The Animal-Visitor Interaction Protocol (AVIP) for the assessment of Lemur catta walk-in enclosure in zoos. PloS one, 17(7), e0271409.

Biasetti, P., Hildebrandt, T. B., Göritz, F., Hermes, R., Holtze, S., Stejskal, J., Galli, C., Pollastri, I.,Muzzo, A., Lekolool, I., Ndereeh, D., Omondi, P., Kariuki, L., Mijele, D., Mutisya, S., Ngulu, S., & de Mori, B. (2022). Application of decision tools to ethical analysis in biodiversity conservation. Conservation Biology, 00, e14029.

Pollastri, I., Normando, S., Contiero, B., Vogt, G., Gelli, D., Sergi, V., Stagni, E., Hensman, S., Mercugliano, E., de Mori, B. (2021). Emotional States of African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) Kept for Animal–Visitor Interactions, as Perceived by People Differing in Age and Knowledge of the Species. Animals, 11(3), 826.

de Mori, B., Spiriti, M. M., Pollastri, I., Normando, S., Biasetti, P., Florio, D., Andreucci, F., Colleoni, S., Galli, C., Göritz, F., Hermes, R., Holtze, S., Lazzari, G., Seet, S., Zwilling, J., Stejskal, J., Mutisya, S., Ndeereh, D., Ngulu, S., Vigne, R., Hildebrandt, T.B. (2021). An ethical assessment tool (ETHAS) to evaluate the application of assisted reproductive technologies in mammals’ conservation: the case of the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). Animals, 11(2), 312.

de Mori, B., Ferrante, L., Florio, D., Macchi, E., Pollastri, I., & Normando, S. (2019). A Protocol for the Ethical Assessment of Wild Animal–Visitor Interactions (AVIP) Evaluating Animal Welfare, Education, and Conservation Outcomes, “Animals”, 9(8), 487.

Simonato, M., De Santis, M., Contalbrigo, L., De Mori, B., Ravarotto, L., & Farina, L. (2020). The three r’s as a framework for considering the ethics of animal assisted interventions. society & animals, 28(4), 395-419.

Biasetti, P., Florio, D., Gili, C., & de Mori, B. (2020). The ethical assessment of touch pools in aquariums by means of the ethical matrix. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 33(2), 337-353.

Biasetti, P., & De Mori, B. (2020). Towards a conservation ethics. Iride, 33(3), 471-486.

Rollin, B. E., & De Mori, B. (2020). Gli altri animali: scienza ed etica di fronte al benessere animale. Mimesis.

de Mori B., (2019), Il benessere animale: un concetto ‘etico’ o ‘scientifico’? Un dibattito ancora attuale, Notizie di Politeia, 134, pp. 143-161.

de Mori B., Normando S., (2019) Is Histroy repeating itself? The case of fish and arthropods’ welfare, «Ethica&Politica/Ethics&Politics», 2, pp. 491-516  

de Mori B., Biasetti P., (2019) Le matrici etiche nella conservazione della biodiversità. Ethical Matrix in Biodiversity Conservation, «Ethica&Politica/Ethics&Politics», 1, pp. 233-254;

Farina L., de Santis M., Contalbrigo L., Simonato M., de Mori B., Ravarotto L., (2019) The 3R principle: a reflection on its application in AAI, Animals and Society.

Ferrante, L., Samuels, W.E., Normando, S., Florio, D., Bordignon, F., Meers, L., & de Mori, B. (2019). Investigating visitors’ needs and behaviors to increase educational effectiveness and promote inclusiveness and the ethical reputations of zoos. Zoo Biology

Ferrante, L., & de Mori, B. (2018). Conservazione ed etica negli zoo “dopo Marius”. Etica & Politica/Ethics & Politics, 20(3), 703-729.

Normando, S., Pollastri, I., Florio, D., Ferrante, L., Macchi, E., Isaja, V., & de Mori, B. (2018). Assessing Animal Welfare in Animal-Visitor Interactions in Zoos and Other Facilities. A Pilot Study Involving Giraffes. Animals, 8(9), 153.