Behavioural Profiles of Brown and Sloth Bears in Captivity

Abstract

Simple SummaryAnimal personality research is a growing field, since understanding animal personalities has notable implications in ecology and the evolution of animal behaviours. In the current study, we tested different methods described in the literature to obtain robust individual behavioural profiles. Data collected through behavioral observations were categorised into activity budgets, space usage, and social interactions for each individual. In addition, behavioural profile questionnaires were completed by the three zoo keepers who had regular interactions with the bears. The questionnaires included 22 adjectives, which were rated on a scale of 1–12 depending on how well they described each individual bear. The mean ratings of the keepers were used to create the behavioural profiles by adding the adjectives to the appropriate domains, according to the NEO Five Factor Inventory of personality model (NEO-FFI). The data gathered was used to produce behavioural profiles for all animals, in order to clarify the personality characteristics of each subject. Testing and improving existing methodologies to determine animal personality is important for providing optimal welfare and management of captive animals, since it can help to develop more effective management regimes in zoos by remodelling husbandry according to each animal’s personality type.AbstractThree brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) individuals and two sloth bear (Melursus ursinus inornatus) individuals were observed in captivity to produce behavioural profiles for each individual. Data collected through behavioural observations were used to produce activity budgets, and to identify space usage and certain aspects of social behavior. Behaviour monitoring allowed the researchers to evaluate the welfare of the animals by identifying the occurrence of stereotypic behaviours, which are sometimes associated with stress. Behavioural profiles were created using data obtained through behavioural observations (coding) and keeper questionnaires (rating). The behavioural observations indicated a number of stereotypic behaviours in sloth bears but not in brown bears. The uniformity of zone usage was calculated to investigate if the enclosure size and features were adequate for use, and a social aspect of otherwise solitary animals was also identified. The behavioural profiles generated through coding and rating were compared to determine the reliability between these two methods in Ursids. Profiles were not compared between individuals since this study is not a comparison between different personality types but rather an effort (one of the few ones existing in literature) to select a valid and reproducible methodology capable of assessing personality in bears.

Personality and Sociality in Captive Tigers (Panthera tigris)

“…The methodology for these questionnaires was adapted from Chadwick's research on cheetah personality, as previously described [6,31]. Questionnaires listed 31 traits, which were rated on a scale of 1 (trait was never exhibited) to 12 (trait was always exhibited) by the keepers for each tiger.…”

Comparative Personality Traits Assessment of Three Species of Communally Housed Captive Penguins

“…The results obtained in the present study have shown that the keepers knew every penguin very well, and they were able to consistently evaluate their behavioral characteristics [23,24]. This data is useful to underline the importance of the professional figure of the zookeeper, which has prominent responsibilities in the daily welfare of the animals [29,38].…”

“…Observer ratings have been used in assessing the welfare and personality of farm animals [32] and the personality of companion animals [33]. In the same way, keeper ratings can be used to investigate the welfare and personality of zoo animals [23,34]. A fundamental condition in personality studies is that the assessment of personality traits must be both reliable and valid [25,35,36].…”

“…The first part of the questionnaire presented some questions related to keeper’s work, to their interests for the birds (in particular penguins), and to the perception that they have of the personality influence on the animals’ behavior and health. In order to describe penguin behavioral and personality aspects, in the second part of the questionnaire were included 31 adjectives (Table S2), which were rated on a scale of 1 (trait never exhibited) to 12 (trait always exhibited), depending on how well they described each penguin [23,24]. Two keepers completed the questionnaires for each animal.…”

Personality in Zoo-Hatched Blanding’s Turtles Affects Behavior and Survival After Reintroduction Into the Wild

“…In a 2001 review, Gosling identified 187 studies in 64 species, which included mammals, birds, and fish, as well as reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, and mollusks. Perhaps unsurprisingly, animal personality research has focused largely on mammals, ranging from the African striped mouse ( Rhabdomys dilectus , Joshi and Pillay, 2016) to brown and sloth bears ( Ursus arctos arctos and Melursus ursinus inornatus , respectively, Pastorino et al, 2017), snow leopards ( Uncia uncia , Gartner and Powell, 2012), African elephants ( Loxodonta africana , Horback et al, 2013) and a number of non-human primate species including chimpanzees (Freeman et al, 2013), rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta , Capitanio, 1999), and squirrel monkeys ( Saimiri sciureus , Polgár et al, 2017). Although fewer studies have been devoted to other taxa, some work has been conducted with a variety of reptile species, including snakes, lizards, and turtles.…”