In this study we used the daily activity pattern and use of space as indicators of change in the program of structural enrichment, implemented with 2 subjects of the species Ursus arctos in the Barcelona Zoo. We collected 930 sampling points in each study phase for each of the individuals: The samples were taken in a balanced way at different times of day. We observed a wider range of behavior in the male than the female. With respect to the indicators, we observed statistically significant differences in behavior in both individuals in the 2 study phases. Both individuals showed an increase in vigilance, maintenance, and inactivity when their enclosure was changed. In terms of the subjects' well-being, we considered the percentage of stereotyped behavior within acceptable limits. The percentage of activity observed in the male was very similar to that of individuals of this species in the wild. In terms of the use of space, we observed homogeneity only in the male during the enrichment program. The 2 individuals responded in different ways to the structural enrichment.
We studied the behavioral responses of three brown bears (Ursus arctos) to different types of enrichment devices to assess the predominant pattern of animal–enrichment interaction (PAI) to each type of enrichment. We assessed the bears' responses to feeding, sensory, and occupational enrichments over nine sessions. Using Pearson's correlation (r) and the coefficient of variation (CV)—we describe four models of PAIs: habituation, increasing, continuous, and fluctuating. The habituation model (r < 0 and p < 0.05; CV (%) > 0) consists of a loss of interest in the device over time and it occurred with the occupational device. The increasing model (r > 0 and p < 0.05; CV (%) > 0) consists of a sustained interest in the device over time and it was not observed for any device of this study. The continuous model (0 > r > 0 and p > 0.05; CV (%) < 100) consists of a consistent and unchanging interaction over time and it occurred with the feeding enrichments used in this study. The fluctuating PAI (0 > r > 0 and p > 0.05; CV (%) ≥ 100) consists of wide oscillations in the degree of interaction over time and we observed this pattern with sensory devices. Review of previous literature supports these classes of PAI, and suggests similar relationships between PAIs and the type of enrichment as we observed in this study.
Abnormal behaviours are common in captive environments that not supply the physical and psychological needs of animals. There are animals, like brown bears, more susceptible to develop abnormal behaviours due to their seasonal biology related to food, hibernation or reproduction. The two brown bear Ursus arctos females from Barcelona Zoo, Spain, showed two different patterns of abnormal behaviours. The old ♀ displayed episodes of biting a tree trunk while the young ♀ carried out headtossing events. The studied period was from March to December 2004 divided into seasonal periods: autumn, spring and summer. A total of 63 hours of observations were recorded using a multi-focal continuous method. The time invested on abnormal behaviour was higher in spring followed by summer and autumn in both females. The other variables related to the abnormal behaviour studied were duration, intensity, occurrence and space use which also showed statistically significant differences among seasonal periods. The old ♀ space use during abnormal behaviour was in the same zone meanwhile the young ♀ showed statistically significant differences among seasonal variations and zones of the enclosure. These results should be taken into account to improve the management of bears in zoological institutions.
Four species of bear are known that in their habitat natural manifest variable behaviors depending on the season. The objective of the present study was to assess if aberrant behaviors -as indicators of animal welfare-have annual variations for three seasonal periods -spring, summer and autumn-. Data were collected from two female brown bears (Ursus arctos) housed in the same facility at the Barcelona Zoo.Using a multi-focal continuous and a scan sampling methods, a total of 63 hours of behavior was observed and recorded per individual. Old female's aberrant behavior displays frequencies about 17%, whereas young female had a value about 5%. The results indicate that some aspects of the aberrant behavior varied according to the three seasonal periods. The old female's aberrant episodes duration and young female's aberrant behaviors intensity and occurrence varied according to the three seasonal periods. In last cases, the aberrant behavior was higher in spring followed by summer and autumn coinciding with seasonal changes of wild bears with two activity peaks: one on spring in relation to mateseeking behaviors and another on autumn in relation to foraging food behavior.Correspondence should be sent to
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