A Survey of Husbandry Practices for Lorisid Primates in North American Zoos and Related Facilities

Abstract

Zoos and related facilities in North America currently manage five species in the primate family Lorisidae: the greater (Nycticebus coucang), Bengal (N. bengalensis) and pygmy (N. pygmaeus) slow lorises, red slender loris (Loris tardigradus), and potto (Perodicticus potto). We used an online survey to describe institutional housing and husbandry practices for these species and assess the extent to which practices are consistent with established guidelines. Our results show that most captive lorisids are housed solitarily or in pairs. Most individuals occupy a single exhibit space in a building dedicated to nocturnal animals. Facilities are commonly meeting recommendations for abiotic exhibit design and are providing animals with an enriched environment. However, pottos and slender lorises currently occupy exhibit spaces smaller than the recommended minimum, and the impact of cleaning protocols on olfactory communication should be critically evaluated. Few facilities are taking advantage of the benefits of positive reinforcement training for promoting animal welfare. Research is greatly needed on the effects of exhibit lighting on behavior, health, and reproduction; and to determine how best to manage the social needs of lorisids with naturally dispersed social structures. Although captive populations of slender lorises, pottos, and slow lorises are declining, we suggest that improved husbandry knowledge has the potential to positively influence population sustainability and to enhance future efforts to manage the growing pygmy loris population.

A retrospective review of mortality in lorises and pottos in North American zoos, 1980-2010

“…Several different fitness benefits have been hypothesized to explain infanticide among nonhuman primates, including male−male competition and resource competition (Hrdy 1979). Infanticide risk may be related to social density, which is interesting considering that cage sizes for captive pottos and slender lorises in North America are currently smaller than the minimum size recommended by Fitch-Snyder & Schulze's (2001) husbandry manual (Fuller et al 2013). Deaths involving maternal neglect in the present study hint at a pattern similar to that described for captive Galago crassicaudatus umbrosus by Tartabini (1991).…”

“…However, it is possible that social management practices surrounding parturition have changed in recent years, perhaps to address traumatic infant death. A 2010 survey of AZA facilities housing lorisids showed that very few males and females were housed together during the period surrounding birth, although more facilities indicated that they had attempted this strategy in the past (Fuller et al 2013). That survey also showed that a large number of animals in each species were solitarily housed on a perpetual basis (Fuller et al 2013).…”

“…A 2010 survey of AZA facilities housing lorisids showed that very few males and females were housed together during the period surrounding birth, although more facilities indicated that they had attempted this strategy in the past (Fuller et al 2013). That survey also showed that a large number of animals in each species were solitarily housed on a perpetual basis (Fuller et al 2013). It may be that efforts to increase the social wellbeing of captive lorisids by providing social partners may be in conflict with strategies needed to minimize infant mortality.…”

“…Our results concur with those reviewed by Remick et al (2009), that neoplasia in lorises and pottos, like other strepsirrhines, commonly occurs in the digestive (including liver), hematopoietic (here, these were generally classified as multi-systemic), and reproductive systems. Little research has addressed the etiology of cancers affecting captive strepsirrhines, and further research into the role of diet (Bingham et al 1976, Cowgill et al 1989, exhibit lighting (Navara & Nelson 2007, Fuller et al 2013, and other factors contributing to neoplasia is needed.…”

“…Our primary aim was to describe major sources of mortality in these species. In a companion to the present paper, we also surveyed facilities that are currently housing lorisid primates to determine how animals are actually cared for in practice (Fuller et al 2013). These studies set the stage for future hypothesis-driven research examining associations between environmental design, diet, health, and animal behavior.…”