Der Zoologische Garten最新文献

In 1982 Opel-Zoo Kronberg started keeping Oriental white ibis in central European climate. Since then at least 61 ibis hatched, the total 30-day-mortality was 25% (N = 15). As far as known changes in diet over time and their effects are listed as well as dates of hatching since 1994. Unknown behavior such as allogrooming in young non-siblings, overlapping brood and feeding on willow leafs is described, as well as wing-claws in juvenile Oriental white ibis. In addition we added information from literature to give an overview of this particular ibis species. Oriental white ibis is listed as near threatened since 2004.

Currently seven animal species worldwide are managed in Global Species Management Programs (GSMPs). Since 2013 the Goodfellow's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi) is the first marsupial in this group of species. The primary goal of the GSMP is to enhance the sustainability of the captive population. Reproductive cycles of seven female Goodfellow-tree kangaroo's kept in German zoos were studied during a period of 23 weeks. Faecal samples and behavioural data were collected in order to identify oestrous specific behaviour. Faecal hormone metabolites were analysed using an enzyme-immunoassay for 4-Pregnen-20α-ol-3-one (trivial name: 20α-Progesterone). Faecal hormone metabolites indicated reproductive activity in all females studied, even in a 19 year old individual. The average oestrous cycle was 54.3 ± 1.6 days. During oestrus periods females showed significantly more pouch licking behaviour (p < 0,01), while the breeding male had significantly more interest in females (p < 0,05) indicated by sniffling and vocalization (sound: clicking/“chitching”). Finally this study demonstrates that the applicability of faecal hormone analysis is an adequate method for reproductive monitoring in Goodfellow's tree kangaroos.

Wild animal trade, including capture and transport of animals from faraway lands to European and American markets for public exhibition, became a well-established business by the nineteenth century. Journey by animals to the destination in rudimentary conditions caused high mortality. This is an area in history that receives scant attention today. Also, husbandry technology in zoos was in dire need of improvement in earlier years. It is easy for us to condemn the work of yesteryear by using today's prism, an act called “Presentism”. Instead, we should review the deed of our predecessors in historical perspective; judging them by today's moral standard will not get us anywhere. In early day America, traveling menageries first introduced the public to captive wild animals before zoos developed as civic institutions in increasingly urban societies. During the era, the division of circuses, menageries and zoos often blurred. This essay attempts to present a holistic review of wild animal exhibition operations including traveling menageries, circuses and zoos, focusing on selected topics from the eighteenth century through the middle of the last century. Today, even with tremendous contributions having been made, zoos still face considerable challenges in terms of wildlife conservation.

A young female Californian sea lion, born on 5^th June 2011 at Berlin Zoological Garden, has been observed producing air bubble rings and playing with them by destroying. This behavior was documented on a digital video, a second digital video showing this behaviour has been found on the internet. The animal blows here the air forming a ring at the deepest point of the pool and repeated this behavior several times. It seems that the pinniped has refined this play comparing to the first video. Although there is some literature about whales playing with self-produced air bubble rings, there is only less notice for this object play in pinnipeds.

The behavioral decisions of wild animals are influenced by the often conflicting needs to both feed efficiently and to avoid predators. Information regarding how lagomorphs such as the mountain hare (Lepus timidus) balance these factors throughout the day-night cycle is largely lacking despite its importance to management.

To better understand the type and proportion of various behaviors the mountain hare engages in over the course of a 24-hour period, I monitored the behavior of six mountain hares under controlled conditions from early to mid-winter. The mountain hares spend the majority of their time resting (mean ± standard deviation: 32.4 ± 14.4%) and under canopy (22.4 ± 18.7%), and a smaller proportion of their time feeding (16.2 ± 6.1%). Activity peaks over the course of the 24-hour cycle reflect natural behavior patterns that emphasize the reduction of predation risk. The sunrise phase is characterized by the search for a suitable resting place; the day phase by resting and hiding. The sunset phase is characterized by the search for food, and the night phase by an equal mix of food intake and movement through the home range. These results can help land managers predict how factors such as increasing tourist activity (perceived by the hare as a safety threat) will influence the behavior of free-ranging mountain hares.