Gedomesticeerd? Begripsomschrijving en beoordelingskader, toegepast voor het rendier en de zeboe

A clear distinction between wild and domesticated animal species is important for Dutch legislation for either permit or forbid the use of animals in circuses and other performances. The study in this report briefly describes how domestication of animals has taken place and what the characteristic elements are for the description of the concept. In addition, the consequences of domestication for behaviour, physiology and morphology of animals and the way in which changes are passed on from generation to generation are discussed. Due to a request to the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to place the zebu (Bos taurus indicus) and the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) on Appendix IV to the Animal Owners Decree, based on the literature, the extent to which both species can be considered as domesticated is evaluated. Furthermore it has been estimated what the consequences are for the well-being of specimens of these species if they are used in circuses and in other entertainment performances.