Conducting Behavioural Research in the Zoo: A Guide to Ten Important Methods, Concepts and Theories

Abstract

Behavioural research in zoos is commonplace and is used in the diagnosis and treatment of potential husbandry and management challenges. Robust methods that allow valid data collection and analysis constitute an evidence-based approach to animal care. Understanding behaviour is essential to improving animal management, and behavioural research is therefore popular, with a wide choice of behavioural methodologies and theories available. This review outlines ten methodological approaches, concepts or theories essential to zoo science that are based around behavioural observation. This list is not exhaustive but aims to define and describe key areas of consideration when planning and implementing a zoo-based behavioural project. We discuss the application of well-established methods (the construction of ethograms, use of time–activity patterns and measurement of space/enclosure use) as well as evaluating newer or less-widely applied analytical techniques, such as behavioural diversity indices, social networks analysis and Qualitative Behavioural Assessment. We also consider the importance of fundamental research methods, the application of pure science to understand and interpret zoo animal behaviour (with a review of a Tinbergian approach) and consideration of meta-analyses. The integration of observational techniques into experiments that aim to identify the cause and effect of behavioural performance is then explored, and we examine the assimilation of behavioural methods used in studies of environmental enrichment. By systematically studying animal behaviour, we can attempt to understand the welfare of individual animals in captivity, and here we present an example of our reviewed approaches to this area of zoo science. Combining multiple methodologies can lead to a greater understanding of behaviour and welfare, creating robust research, progressing husbandry and advancing conservation strategies. Collaborations between zoological collections and academic researchers (e.g., in Higher Education Institutions) can further refine and enhance the validity of research and husbandry practice alike.

Comparing Data Collection Tools for Zoo Management Decision-Making: A Case Study Examining Behavioral Measures of Humboldt Penguin Bond Strength

“…All data collection tools and methods have advantages and disadvantages [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 29 , 30 ]. The information that is necessary to set up a data collection system, the extent to which staff can analyze and interpret data, the cost of apps, and the degree of app support all must be taken into consideration.…”

Why Are Enrichment Practices in Zoos Difficult to Implement Effectively?

“…Although enrichment can contribute to welfare, conservation, and education [ 21 ], zoos managers rarely clarify which, if any, objectives their enrichment programme is intended to deliver [ 70 ]. Furthermore, because of concerns around how zoos evaluate enrichment practices [ 31 , 71 ], such as the neglect of subjective impressions or objective metrics ( Table 3 , Subtheme 5.2), whether these practices achieve the behavioural, cognitive, or emotional outcomes of animals remains ambiguous [ 72 ].…”

Diurnal and Nocturnal Behaviour of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and Lions (Panthera leo) in Zoos

“…However, these studies do not check for a species’ behaviour profile over 24 hr. Even more, the analysis of behaviour observed only for a few hours a day might lead to misinterpretations such as generalisation, over- or underestimation [ 80 , 81 ]. In order to avoid misleading interpretation of observed behaviour patterns and rhythms and to study the influence of anthropogenic as well as individual biological factors on behaviour, the species-specific rhythm must be known first [ 30 , 82 ].…”