Most animal welfare research centers on a few familiar farmed species: cows, chickens, pigs, and salmon. But what about other animals who are farmed by the millions around the world? This review highlights five such species — buffaloes, camels, donkeys, mules, and lumpfish — all of whom face significant welfare issues but receive little scientific attention.

The authors point out that without species-specific knowledge, it’s difficult to protect these animals effectively. They introduce two common frameworks used to assess welfare: the Five Freedoms, which focus on preventing negative states like hunger and fear, and the Five Domains, which also consider animals’ emotional experiences. Both frameworks can support better welfare — but only when adapted to each species’ natural behaviors and needs.

To show how underrepresented these animals are in research, the authors compared the number of welfare studies available for each species and their more widely studied counterparts. They focused on scientific literature published between January 2000 and December 2022. They found that, despite being essential to food systems and livelihoods in many countries, buffaloes, camels, donkeys, mules, and lumpfish appear in up to 26 times fewer publications than cows, horses, sheep, and salmon.

Buffaloes: Not Just Cows In Disguise

Buffaloes are well adapted to hot, humid climates and are widely used for dairy and meat production, particularly in Asia. Unlike cows, they regulate their body temperature by wallowing in water or mud — a behavior that’s often restricted in intensive systems designed for cows.

According to the review, buffaloes kept without access to wallowing opportunities may suffer heat stress, injuries, reduced milk production, and behavioral problems. Their welfare improves significantly when they’re given access to pools, grazing areas, and low-stress handling. Still, most welfare assessments for buffaloes are based on cow standards, and there’s a clear need for research on housing, milking systems, and behavior that’s tailored specifically to them.

Camels: Remarkably Resilient, But Still Overlooked

Dromedary camels are uniquely suited to arid environments. They can go long periods without water, endure extreme heat, and continue to produce milk in difficult conditions. These qualities make them especially valuable in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia — but may also lead to their welfare being ignored.

The authors note that very few studies have examined camel welfare, particularly in nomadic or extensive systems where access to food, water, and veterinary care can be limited. Even in emerging intensive systems, welfare standards are only just being developed. Future research should focus on bedding, space, water access, disease prevention, and signs of stress or discomfort. Without this foundation, it’s difficult to evaluate or improve camel welfare across the diverse systems in which they live.

Donkeys And Mules: Still Carrying The Load

Donkeys and mules support the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, particularly in low-income regions. They’re used for transport, farming, and hauling goods, often under harsh and exhausting conditions. Common welfare concerns include overwork, poor nutrition, lack of shelter, and injuries from heavy loads or ill-fitting equipment.

There’s also growing interest in farming donkeys for their milk, meat, and skins, particularly for use in traditional medicine. However, their behavioral needs — like grazing, browsing, and social interaction — are not well supported in these systems. The authors point to tools like Equid Assessment, Research and Scoping (EARS) and Standardized Equine Based Welfare Assessment Tool (SEBWAT), which can assess equine welfare in the field. These tools are helpful but must be adapted to local environments and cultural practices to be effective.

Lumpfish: Overused And Underprotected

Lumpfish are increasingly used on salmon farms as “cleaner” fishes to help control sea lice. Despite their growing presence — with over 30 million farmed in Norway alone — their welfare is often poor and largely unstudied. Mortality rates are alarmingly high, with some farms reporting losses over 40%, and even up to 100% in certain conditions.

Unlike many other fishes, lumpfish are solitary and prefer cool water and places to rest. But they’re often kept in crowded sea cages with salmon and no enrichment. This leads to stress, injury, starvation, and disease. The review suggests that environmental enrichment, better feeding strategies, and separate housing may improve outcomes — but more research is needed to understand and meet their basic needs.

Overall, the review highlights a critical gap in animal welfare research. Species that are prominent in the Global North tend to receive the most attention, while others — often essential in the Global South — are left behind. This imbalance means that many animals continue to suffer without even being counted.

Animal advocates can help shift the narrative by calling for more inclusive welfare policies, supporting species-specific research, and promoting solutions that recognize the needs of all animals — not just the ones we see most often. As the authors stress, these animals deserve better not just because of their usefulness, but because they’re sentient beings with lives that matter. Bringing these species into the welfare conversation is essential to building a food system that reflects compassion, fairness, and science.