Assessing inactivity in zoo gorillas using keeper ratings and behavioral data

Less, E; Kuhar, Christopher W.; Dennis, Patricia M.; Lukas, Kristen E.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2012.01.001

Cited by 23 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although these are valid perspectives, we assert that even direct observations result in a relatively minute fraction of a chimpanzee’s daily activities and that more generalized observations taken over the course of several years may be as likely to produce accurate prevalence estimates (Whitham & Wielebnowski, 2009; Less et al, 2012). Furthermore, the survey methods used here are ultimately a conservative measure, as abnormal behaviors need only be observed once in a two-year period, and are therefore likely to be overestimating the prevalence of these behaviors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Characterizing abnormal behavior in a large population of zoo-housed chimpanzees: prevalence and potential influencing factors

Jacobson

Ross

Bloomsmith³

2016

PeerJ

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Abnormal behaviors in captive animals are generally defined as behaviors that are atypical for the species and are often considered to be indicators of poor welfare. Although some abnormal behaviors have been empirically linked to conditions related to elevated stress and compromised welfare in primates, others have little or no evidence on which to base such a relationship. The objective of this study was to investigate a recent claim that abnormal behavior is endemic in the captive population by surveying a broad sample of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), while also considering factors associated with the origins of these behaviors. We surveyed animal care staff from 26 accredited zoos to assess the prevalence of abnormal behavior in a large sample of chimpanzees in the United States for which we had information on origin and rearing history. Our results demonstrated that 64% of this sample was reported to engage in some form of abnormal behavior in the past two years and 48% of chimpanzees engaged in abnormal behavior other than coprophagy. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the historical variables that best predicted the occurrence of all abnormal behavior, any abnormal behavior that was not coprophagy, and coprophagy. Rearing had opposing effects on the occurrence of coprophagy and the other abnormal behaviors such that mother-reared individuals were more likely to perform coprophagy, whereas non-mother-reared individuals were more likely to perform other abnormal behaviors. These results support the assertion that coprophagy may be classified separately when assessing abnormal behavior and the welfare of captive chimpanzees. This robust evaluation of the prevalence of abnormal behavior in our sample from the U.S. zoo population also demonstrates the importance of considering the contribution of historical variables to present behavior, in order to better understand the causes of these behaviors and any potential relationship to psychological wellbeing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Characterizing abnormal behavior in a large population of zoo-housed chimpanzees: prevalence and potential influencing factors

Jacobson

Ross

Bloomsmith³

2016

PeerJ

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“…We recognize that the methods we used to record the apes’ activity levels required specialized software and trained personnel. However, less time‐consuming and costly techniques can also be used to record captive primate activity, such as keeper interviews or simple group scan data collection [Less et al, ]. Regardless of technique, continued evaluations of captive primate activity levels can aid captive management and are also important for evaluating the impact of newly‐implemented enrichment and research protocols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral research as physical enrichment for captive chimpanzees

2016

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In this study, we evaluated the potential for a behavioral research study, designed to evaluate chimpanzee decision-making behavior, to also encourage increased activity in a group of zoo-housed chimpanzees. For the behavioral study, the chimpanzees had to carry tokens to different locations such that they always had to travel farther to obtain a more-preferred reward. We recorded the distance travelled by each subject in each of the three phases of the 15-month study. By the final phase, the chimpanzees' rate of travel during test sessions was significantly higher compared to their baseline activity. Importantly, the chimpanzees' increase in locomotion was not dependent on their participation in the study; rate of travel was not correlated with number of tokens exchanged. However, the chimpanzees' activity returned to baseline within 2 hr of the 30-min test sessions. This study emphasizes the role that research can have in providing enrichment, the importance for long-term enrichment plans, and the essential need to evaluate the impact of research on animal participants, just as we evaluate the efficacy of enrichment strategies. Zoo Biol. 35:293-297, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…Captivity presents a unique opportunity to further examine the effects of mechanical loading over developmental time. With far less area to exploit within an enclosure, captive primates are often excluded during skeletal data collection for locomotor research studies as they are thought to poorly reflect the natural behaviors and activity levels occurring in the wild (Boorer, ; Clarke, Juno, & Maple, ; Kelley & Garcia, ; Less, Kuhar, Dennis, & Lukas, ; for a review of behavioral research, see Vereecke, D'Août, & Aerts, ). Much of the skeletal research on captive primates has focused on disease in animal populations of early zoos, highlighting the effects of insufficient vitamin absorption/synthesis (diet or sunlight) on various bone afflictions (e.g., tuberculosis and rickets, Sutton, ; osteodystrophia fibrosa, Canington & Hunt, ; O'regan & Kitchener, ; also see Strong, Grindlay, Redrobe, Cobb, & White, ) and craniofacial and dental defects associated with unusual diets or food processing (Cousins, ; Farrell, Rando, & Garrod, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%