A survey assessment of variables related to stereotypy in captive giraffe and okapi

Foraging opportunity: a crucial criterion for horse welfare?

“…As a consequence, captive animals spend less time feeding than their freeranging counterparts. The reduction of the time spent foraging was associated with the emergence of stereotypies and abnormal behaviour in many species such as horses (McGreevy et al, 1995), pigs (Appleby and Lawrence, 1987), primates (Marriner and Drickamer, 1994), captive giraffe and okapi (Bashaw et al, 2001). Conversely, enrichment through devices where animals spend more time searching for food is associated with an increase of foraging time and a decrease of abnormal behaviour in porcine, equine and primates (Young et al, 1994;Goodwin et al, 2002).…”

Utilizing Scents as Environmental Enrichment: Preference Assessment and Application with Rothschild Giraffe

“…Studies suggest that increased quantity and variety of stimulation in zoo environments also impact the behavior of species exhibited in zoos. For example, giraffe and okapi were less likely to exhibit stereotypic behaviors if they had experienced an environmental change in the previous year (Bashaw, Tarou, Maki, & Maple, 2001).…”

“…The most common stereotypic behaviors performed by giraffe in zoo environments include tongue rolling and repetitive licking of nonfood objects (Bashaw et al, 2001). In the past, research on giraffes has primarily focused on decreasing oral stereotypic behaviors by providing foraging enrichment (Bashaw et al, 2001).…”

“…In the past, research on giraffes has primarily focused on decreasing oral stereotypic behaviors by providing foraging enrichment (Bashaw et al, 2001). For example, complex puzzle feeders are used to elicit foraging behavior observed in wild giraffe, which requires complex tongue manipulations to gain access to resources (Fernandez, Bashaw, Sartor, Bouwens, & Maki, 2008).…”

Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) : stratégie et revue du statut de conservation

“…La langue préhensile bleue foncée est adaptée à une alimentation sélective et peut mesurer jusqu'à 30 cm ; suffisamment longue pour que l'animal s'en serve pour nettoyer ses propres yeux et ses oreilles (Skinner & Mitchell 2011). De façon similaire à la girafe, il a été suggéré qu'en milieu captif l'okapi utilise sa langue pour étudier de nouveaux stimuli (Bashaw et al 2001).…”