Zoos are duty-bound to provide excellent welfare standards for the species that they keep. Curators and keepers have a role to play in ensuring that husbandry regimes are relevant and mimic a species’ natural environment. This paper explains the key outcomes from ABWAK’s (Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers) first national flamingo keepers’ workshop. Research on flamingo breeding is well documented in the literature, but research into other aspects of husbandry may develop flamingo welfare further. By engaging keepers and academics with a direct influence over flamingo management, questions relating to best practice can be answered to establish areas of common good practice as well as novel approaches. Topics presented for discussion at the workshop focused on 1) informed enclosure design, 2) relevant enrichment ideas and 3) "promotion" of flamingos to the zoo visitor, with the aim of having a positive impact on the birds’ quality of life and their value as a zoo exhibit. Outcomes generated included the development of enrichment and husbandry modifications that may enhance flamingo activity patterns and their display to zoo visitors. Many aspects of regular flamingo husbandry can have an enriching influence on the birds’ lives, therefore encouraging zoo professionals to share ideas may benefit many flamingos in many zoos. Through the medium of a workshop, husbandry techniques for specialist species such as the flamingo can be shared and developed.
{"title":"Developing flamingo husbandry practices through workshop communication","authors":"P. Rose, J. Brereton, Laura Gardner","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.109","url":null,"abstract":"Zoos are duty-bound to provide excellent welfare standards for the species that they keep. Curators and keepers have a role to play in ensuring that husbandry regimes are relevant and mimic a species’ natural environment. This paper explains the key outcomes from ABWAK’s (Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers) first national flamingo keepers’ workshop. Research on flamingo breeding is well documented in the literature, but research into other aspects of husbandry may develop flamingo welfare further. By engaging keepers and academics with a direct influence over flamingo management, questions relating to best practice can be answered to establish areas of common good practice as well as novel approaches. Topics presented for discussion at the workshop focused on 1) informed enclosure design, 2) relevant enrichment ideas and 3) \"promotion\" of flamingos to the zoo visitor, with the aim of having a positive impact on the birds’ quality of life and their value as a zoo exhibit. Outcomes generated included the development of enrichment and husbandry modifications that may enhance flamingo activity patterns and their display to zoo visitors. Many aspects of regular flamingo husbandry can have an enriching influence on the birds’ lives, therefore encouraging zoo professionals to share ideas may benefit many flamingos in many zoos. Through the medium of a workshop, husbandry techniques for specialist species such as the flamingo can be shared and developed.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"115-121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Leeds, Dawn Stone, B. Johnson, E. Less, Tad Schoffner, P. Dennis, K. Lukas, Jason D Wark
At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland, OH, USA) a male black-footed cat was frequently observed to exhibit repetitive locomotor behaviour and spent a large portion of his day off exhibit. As part of a collaborative effort between animal care and research staff, a stepwise intervention strategy was developed to decrease the subject’s repetitive locomotion and increase his time spent on exhibit. This plan consisted of four phases: baseline, the implementation of a random feeding schedule, exhibit modification, and the implementation of a low-starch diet. The implementation of the low-starch diet resulted in a significant decrease in locomotor behaviour and beginning with the first manipulative phase a qualitative decrease in repetitive locomotor behaviour was observed. Following the implementation of these changes, the subject also significantly decreased his time spent off exhibit. This is the first systematic study addressing an animal welfare concern in a black-footed cat.
{"title":"Managing repetitive locomotor behaviour and time spent off exhibit in a male black-footed cat (Felis negripes) through exhibit and husbandry modifications","authors":"A. Leeds, Dawn Stone, B. Johnson, E. Less, Tad Schoffner, P. Dennis, K. Lukas, Jason D Wark","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I2.165","url":null,"abstract":"At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland, OH, USA) a male black-footed cat was frequently observed to exhibit repetitive locomotor behaviour and spent a large portion of his day off exhibit. As part of a collaborative effort between animal care and research staff, a stepwise intervention strategy was developed to decrease the subject’s repetitive locomotion and increase his time spent on exhibit. This plan consisted of four phases: baseline, the implementation of a random feeding schedule, exhibit modification, and the implementation of a low-starch diet. The implementation of the low-starch diet resulted in a significant decrease in locomotor behaviour and beginning with the first manipulative phase a qualitative decrease in repetitive locomotor behaviour was observed. Following the implementation of these changes, the subject also significantly decreased his time spent off exhibit. This is the first systematic study addressing an animal welfare concern in a black-footed cat.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"109-114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Babirusa (genus Babyrousa ), wild pigs from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and neighbouring small islands, most obviously differ from other wild pigs in that the maxillary (upper) canine teeth of the males pierce through the skin of the nose and curl over the forehead. The females sometimes show small teeth piercing through the nasal skin. The process of anatomical growth of these maxillary canine teeth and the remodelling of the alveolar processes (tooth sockets) within which they grow is here illustrated and explained for the first time. Forty-four skulls in museum and private collections were studied. They represented all ages, from neonates to adult animals. The deciduous maxillary canine teeth of both sexes begin life by pointing rostrally and slightly ventrally into the oral cavity and then appear to be rotated dorsally and medially. The permanent teeth continue this process, rotating through approximately 90 degrees, from pointing rostrally to pointing dorsally through the nasal skin. The structure of the alveolar process is in the meantime modified and develops a bony flange caudally. We hypothesise that some form of connective tissue, stretching from the flange to the subcutaneous tissues of the forehead, exerts a caudally orientated pulling force that results in the gradual rotation of the alveolar process. The contributory role in this pulling force of bone growth at the facial sutures is also highlighted.
{"title":"Maxillary canine tooth growth in babirusa (genus Babyrousa)","authors":"A. Macdonald, K. Leus, H. Hoare","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.139","url":null,"abstract":"Babirusa (genus Babyrousa ), wild pigs from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and neighbouring small islands, most obviously differ from other wild pigs in that the maxillary (upper) canine teeth of the males pierce through the skin of the nose and curl over the forehead. The females sometimes show small teeth piercing through the nasal skin. The process of anatomical growth of these maxillary canine teeth and the remodelling of the alveolar processes (tooth sockets) within which they grow is here illustrated and explained for the first time. Forty-four skulls in museum and private collections were studied. They represented all ages, from neonates to adult animals. The deciduous maxillary canine teeth of both sexes begin life by pointing rostrally and slightly ventrally into the oral cavity and then appear to be rotated dorsally and medially. The permanent teeth continue this process, rotating through approximately 90 degrees, from pointing rostrally to pointing dorsally through the nasal skin. The structure of the alveolar process is in the meantime modified and develops a bony flange caudally. We hypothesise that some form of connective tissue, stretching from the flange to the subcutaneous tissues of the forehead, exerts a caudally orientated pulling force that results in the gradual rotation of the alveolar process. The contributory role in this pulling force of bone growth at the facial sutures is also highlighted.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"22-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Baines, Joe Chattell, J. Dale, D. Garrick, Iri Gill, M. Goetz, Tim Skelton, M. Swatman
Guidance is almost non-existent as to suitable levels of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians, or how to achieve satisfactory UV gradients using artificial lighting. The UV-Tool is a working document that seeks to address this problem, by considering the range of UV experienced by each species in the wild. The UV-Tool contains an editable and expanding database of the microhabitat requirements and basking behaviour of reptile and amphibian species, as derived from field studies, or inferred from observed behaviour in captivity. Since an animal’s UV-B exposure is determined by its behaviour within its native microhabitat, estimation of its natural range of daily UV-B exposure is then possible. The current version of the UV-Tool assigns 254 species to each of four ‘zones’ of UV-B exposure (Ferguson zones) based upon UV-index measurements. Once the likely UV requirement of any species of reptile or amphibian is ascertained, the next step is to plan safe but effective UV gradients within the captive environment. To do this requires knowledge of the UV spectrum and output of the lamps to be used. The UV-Tool therefore includes test reports and UV-index gradient maps for commercially available UV-B lighting products, and a guide to selection of appropriate lamps for use in vivaria and in larger zoo enclosures. There are reports on 24 different products in the current version of the UV-Tool. This document has been compiled by members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) Reptile and Amphibian Working Group (RAWG) with contributions from zookeepers and herpetologists from the UK and abroad. Further input is welcome and encouraged.
{"title":"How much UVB does my reptile need? The UV-Tool, a guide to the selection of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity.","authors":"F. Baines, Joe Chattell, J. Dale, D. Garrick, Iri Gill, M. Goetz, Tim Skelton, M. Swatman","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.150","url":null,"abstract":"Guidance is almost non-existent as to suitable levels of UV lighting for reptiles and amphibians, or how to achieve satisfactory UV gradients using artificial lighting. The UV-Tool is a working document that seeks to address this problem, by considering the range of UV experienced by each species in the wild. The UV-Tool contains an editable and expanding database of the microhabitat requirements and basking behaviour of reptile and amphibian species, as derived from field studies, or inferred from observed behaviour in captivity. Since an animal’s UV-B exposure is determined by its behaviour within its native microhabitat, estimation of its natural range of daily UV-B exposure is then possible. The current version of the UV-Tool assigns 254 species to each of four ‘zones’ of UV-B exposure (Ferguson zones) based upon UV-index measurements. Once the likely UV requirement of any species of reptile or amphibian is ascertained, the next step is to plan safe but effective UV gradients within the captive environment. To do this requires knowledge of the UV spectrum and output of the lamps to be used. The UV-Tool therefore includes test reports and UV-index gradient maps for commercially available UV-B lighting products, and a guide to selection of appropriate lamps for use in vivaria and in larger zoo enclosures. There are reports on 24 different products in the current version of the UV-Tool. This document has been compiled by members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA) Reptile and Amphibian Working Group (RAWG) with contributions from zookeepers and herpetologists from the UK and abroad. Further input is welcome and encouraged.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"42-63"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68102994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wild ungulates kept in captivity have become increasingly important as stock for conservation and study. Routine preventive treatment and vaccination is used to reduce parasite density and/or minimize parasite transmission in multispecies captive facilities such as zoos. But vaccination also has disadvantages: animals are not allowed to develop a natural immune response, commensal parasites performing beneficial roles are also removed, handling the host species is difficult, and so forth. Even more problems arise when captive wild animals are bred for reintroduction into the wild, as the use of parasite-naive individuals may lead to failure. In this study we evaluate the need for such treatment in a Cuvier’s gazelle captive population. Our results show that there are no major differences in body weight or health status between sanitized (wormed and vaccinated) individuals and those that are not. These results challenge the need for routine preventive vaccination in wild animals in captivity. We suggest that the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination of the studied population be weighed and balanced, and recommend that in absence of symptoms, regular coprological analysis be performed, vaccinating only when the parasite burden becomes pathological.
{"title":"Haematology and serum biochemistry parameters in vaccinated versus unvaccinated captive Cuvier’s gazelles: Implications for zoo management practices","authors":"Belén Ibáñez, D. Andres-Cara, E. Moreno","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.157","url":null,"abstract":"Wild ungulates kept in captivity have become increasingly important as stock for conservation and study. Routine preventive treatment and vaccination is used to reduce parasite density and/or minimize parasite transmission in multispecies captive facilities such as zoos. But vaccination also has disadvantages: animals are not allowed to develop a natural immune response, commensal parasites performing beneficial roles are also removed, handling the host species is difficult, and so forth. Even more problems arise when captive wild animals are bred for reintroduction into the wild, as the use of parasite-naive individuals may lead to failure. In this study we evaluate the need for such treatment in a Cuvier’s gazelle captive population. Our results show that there are no major differences in body weight or health status between sanitized (wormed and vaccinated) individuals and those that are not. These results challenge the need for routine preventive vaccination in wild animals in captivity. We suggest that the advantages and disadvantages of vaccination of the studied population be weighed and balanced, and recommend that in absence of symptoms, regular coprological analysis be performed, vaccinating only when the parasite burden becomes pathological.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Bryant, N. Wielebnowski, D. Gierhahn, Tina Houchens, A. Bellem, Amy Roberts, J. Daniels
Few studies have been conducted on red river hog ( Potamochoerus porcus ) reproductive biology in zoos. Furthermore, in spite of regular breeding efforts in zoos, reproductive success has been relatively poor for this species, particularly in the North American population. In this study, we used faecal hormone metabolite monitoring to analyse near daily samples from two males and three females over several years to gain insight into their patterns of reproductive hormone secretion. Both a progesterone and a testosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were validated and subsequently used to monitor reproductive patterns, seasonality, ovulatory activity and a successful pregnancy. The findings indicate that female red river hogs are seasonally polyoestrous. Regular cycles were observed from approximately December through August and an annual period of anoestrous was observed from approximately September until December. Average cycle length for all females was 23 days ± 1.19, range 13–30 days. Androgen excretion patterns of the two males did not show clear seasonal patterns. Only one male experienced an increase in androgen levels (141.53 ± 45.55 ng/g) corresponding with the female seasonal oestrous period. There was, however, some evidence of possible androgen suppression between the two males, and a potential ‘boar effect’ on a young female upon first introduction to a male. Ultimately, this information may increase our understanding of this species’ reproductive biology and serve as a baseline for more in-depth follow-up studies to identify specific patterns associated with reproductive success.
{"title":"Using non-invasive faecal hormone metabolite monitoring to detect reproductive patterns, seasonality and pregnancy in red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus)","authors":"J. Bryant, N. Wielebnowski, D. Gierhahn, Tina Houchens, A. Bellem, Amy Roberts, J. Daniels","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.123","url":null,"abstract":"Few studies have been conducted on red river hog ( Potamochoerus porcus ) reproductive biology in zoos. Furthermore, in spite of regular breeding efforts in zoos, reproductive success has been relatively poor for this species, particularly in the North American population. In this study, we used faecal hormone metabolite monitoring to analyse near daily samples from two males and three females over several years to gain insight into their patterns of reproductive hormone secretion. Both a progesterone and a testosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were validated and subsequently used to monitor reproductive patterns, seasonality, ovulatory activity and a successful pregnancy. The findings indicate that female red river hogs are seasonally polyoestrous. Regular cycles were observed from approximately December through August and an annual period of anoestrous was observed from approximately September until December. Average cycle length for all females was 23 days ± 1.19, range 13–30 days. Androgen excretion patterns of the two males did not show clear seasonal patterns. Only one male experienced an increase in androgen levels (141.53 ± 45.55 ng/g) corresponding with the female seasonal oestrous period. There was, however, some evidence of possible androgen suppression between the two males, and a potential ‘boar effect’ on a young female upon first introduction to a male. Ultimately, this information may increase our understanding of this species’ reproductive biology and serve as a baseline for more in-depth follow-up studies to identify specific patterns associated with reproductive success.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"14-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68102398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Until recently, the impact that the presence of conspecifics may have on stereotypic behaviour in naturally solitary species exhibited in zoological institutions has largely been ignored. This study examined the effect of adding a visual barrier between animal holding areas at the Brookfield Zoo on stereotypic head-rolling behaviour in an adult female okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ). Instantaneous sampling was used to document the proportion of time the female okapi spent head-rolling prior to and after visual barriers were constructed. Behavioural surveys were also distributed to animal care staff to document behavioural change following the installation of visual barriers. Results from both behavioural observations and animal care surveys suggest that obstructing the view of neighbouring conspecifics significantly reduced head-rolling behaviour and had a positive impact for this okapi. Information gained from this case study will hopefully stimulate discussion around how zoos manage solitary species, and increase research efforts to better understand the effect of the presence of conspecifics on stereotypic behaviour for solitary species. Moreover, we hope these results will contribute to both husbandry recommendations and best practice guidelines for zoo-housed okapi.
{"title":"Using natural history information for zoo animal management: a case study with okapi (Okapia johnstoni)","authors":"Sandra M. Troxell-Smith, L. Miller","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.134","url":null,"abstract":"Until recently, the impact that the presence of conspecifics may have on stereotypic behaviour in naturally solitary species exhibited in zoological institutions has largely been ignored. This study examined the effect of adding a visual barrier between animal holding areas at the Brookfield Zoo on stereotypic head-rolling behaviour in an adult female okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ). Instantaneous sampling was used to document the proportion of time the female okapi spent head-rolling prior to and after visual barriers were constructed. Behavioural surveys were also distributed to animal care staff to document behavioural change following the installation of visual barriers. Results from both behavioural observations and animal care surveys suggest that obstructing the view of neighbouring conspecifics significantly reduced head-rolling behaviour and had a positive impact for this okapi. Information gained from this case study will hopefully stimulate discussion around how zoos manage solitary species, and increase research efforts to better understand the effect of the presence of conspecifics on stereotypic behaviour for solitary species. Moreover, we hope these results will contribute to both husbandry recommendations and best practice guidelines for zoo-housed okapi.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"38-41"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68102451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Santymire, SA Misek, J. Gossett, Mark Kamhout, Erik N Chatroop, Michelle L. Rafacz
The black rhinoceros (rhino; Diceros bicornis ) is a Critically Endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching. Zoological institutions’ breeding programs have been minimally successful over the years. Our goal was to introduce and breed an eastern black rhino ( Diceros bicornis michaeli ) pair at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ; Chicago, IL USA). The specific objectives were to: 1) use faecal hormone metabolite and serum analyses to monitor the female’s reproductive state (via progesterone) and male’s testosterone production; 2) determine the behaviours that signalled the female was in oestrus; and 3) use these data to determine the optimal time to introduce the pair. Faecal samples and behavioural observations were collected daily. Sera were collected without restraint during routine veterinary procedures. Results demonstrated that the male’s faecal and serum testosterone concentrations changed with the female’s reproductive state. Specifically, testosterone increased when the female became sexually mature but there were no physical introductions and during her pregnancy. The behaviours most indicative of the female’s oestrous state were the male investigation of female faeces and urine and erect penis. Using these behavioural signals, the staff introduced the rhinos 77% of the time during her follicular phase, when oestrus would occur, versus luteal phase. After 52 days of introduction spanning 1 year and 16 oestrous cycles, the pair successfully bred and a male calf was born approximately 15 months later. This study is an example of how zoo science and management collaborations can improve the breeding success of zoo-housed endangered species.
{"title":"Male behaviours signal the female’s reproductive state in a pair of black rhinoceros housed at Lincoln Park Zoo","authors":"R. Santymire, SA Misek, J. Gossett, Mark Kamhout, Erik N Chatroop, Michelle L. Rafacz","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.149","url":null,"abstract":"The black rhinoceros (rhino; Diceros bicornis ) is a Critically Endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching. Zoological institutions’ breeding programs have been minimally successful over the years. Our goal was to introduce and breed an eastern black rhino ( Diceros bicornis michaeli ) pair at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ; Chicago, IL USA). The specific objectives were to: 1) use faecal hormone metabolite and serum analyses to monitor the female’s reproductive state (via progesterone) and male’s testosterone production; 2) determine the behaviours that signalled the female was in oestrus; and 3) use these data to determine the optimal time to introduce the pair. Faecal samples and behavioural observations were collected daily. Sera were collected without restraint during routine veterinary procedures. Results demonstrated that the male’s faecal and serum testosterone concentrations changed with the female’s reproductive state. Specifically, testosterone increased when the female became sexually mature but there were no physical introductions and during her pregnancy. The behaviours most indicative of the female’s oestrous state were the male investigation of female faeces and urine and erect penis. Using these behavioural signals, the staff introduced the rhinos 77% of the time during her follicular phase, when oestrus would occur, versus luteal phase. After 52 days of introduction spanning 1 year and 16 oestrous cycles, the pair successfully bred and a male calf was born approximately 15 months later. This study is an example of how zoo science and management collaborations can improve the breeding success of zoo-housed endangered species.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"30-37"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68103513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In captive primates, the formation of all-male groups is used as a management tool to deal with surplus males. In the wild, hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas ) live in multilevel societies consisting of reproductive one-male/multi-female units, clans, bands and troops. The social compatibility of all-male groups of hamadryas baboons has not been studied thus far. Here we examined the social compatibility of an all-male group of hamadryas baboons as compared to adult males of a mixed-sex group by focusing on social interactions. Additionally we studied the behavioural effects of reproductive status to evaluate whether surgical castration can assist in the social housing of surplus hamadryas baboons. The results indicate that intact males (n=3) in an all-male group show fairly similar behavioural profiles compared with intact males (n=3) in a mixed-sex group, although they are less often observed in social proximity. Furthermore, intact males within an all-male group engaged less in affiliative and submissive behaviours than castrated males (n=3) within the same group. Overall, our results suggest that the formation of an all-male group of hamadryas baboons can be a feasible management tool in housing surplus males, and that submissive behaviours as expressed by castrated males may contribute positively to the social stability of all-male groups.
{"title":"A note on the social compatibility of an all-male group of hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas)","authors":"S. Koot, C. Kapteijn, R. Huiskes, G. Kranendonk","doi":"10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.19227/JZAR.V4I1.105","url":null,"abstract":"In captive primates, the formation of all-male groups is used as a management tool to deal with surplus males. In the wild, hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas ) live in multilevel societies consisting of reproductive one-male/multi-female units, clans, bands and troops. The social compatibility of all-male groups of hamadryas baboons has not been studied thus far. Here we examined the social compatibility of an all-male group of hamadryas baboons as compared to adult males of a mixed-sex group by focusing on social interactions. Additionally we studied the behavioural effects of reproductive status to evaluate whether surgical castration can assist in the social housing of surplus hamadryas baboons. The results indicate that intact males (n=3) in an all-male group show fairly similar behavioural profiles compared with intact males (n=3) in a mixed-sex group, although they are less often observed in social proximity. Furthermore, intact males within an all-male group engaged less in affiliative and submissive behaviours than castrated males (n=3) within the same group. Overall, our results suggest that the formation of an all-male group of hamadryas baboons can be a feasible management tool in housing surplus males, and that submissive behaviours as expressed by castrated males may contribute positively to the social stability of all-male groups.","PeriodicalId":56160,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research","volume":"4 1","pages":"7-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2016-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68102202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Gerstner, A. Liesegang, J. Hatt, M. Clauss, Cordula Galeffi
Many animals display seasonal patterns of behaviour and metabolism that can be also be observed in captivity. During an obesity-control program in Andean bears (Tremarctos ornatus) at Zoo Zurich, a seasonal fluctuation of body mass war observed once ideal body mass had been reached. The focus of this study was the question if metabolism of a male and three female animals was affected by seasonality according to their seasonal breeding behaviour, using data on pelleted food intake (from computer controlled feeders) and body mass (from regular weighing). The pelleted diet in the feeder boxes was provided additionally to a daily ration containing vegetables, fruits, pellets for environmental enrichment, and fish. This daily ration was adjusted, within prescribed limits, by the animal keepers depending on the previous day's consumption. Formulas developed for dogs were used to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) content of the diet and maintenance requirement of the bears depending on their individual body mass. Energy requirements for minimum walked distances between the feeders was calculated as well as energy requirement for fat accretion or energy gained from body fat by body mass loss. Body mass showed a seasonal fluctuation with maxima in spring and minima in autumn, in contrast to the pattern typically observed in animals from the temperate zone; in the male, the body mass maximum occurred later than in the females. Feed intake from feeder boxes peaked in autumn, at the beginning of body mass gain in the females. These patterns cannot be explained as seasonal adaptations to climatic changes in the zoo environment, but match the natural breeding season of Andean bears in their natural habitat, suggesting genetically fixed photoperiodic clues. The data indicate that body mass fluctuation in a range considered ideal for the species was mostly based on the additional food whose amount was adjusted - within limits - by the keepers on a daily basis. Such adjustment, without incurring the risk of obesity in bears that are known as voracious eaters, is a good example of the skill required in animal husbandry.
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