Effects of feeding enrichment on behavior of three species of captive bears

Forthman, Debra L.; Elder, Suzanne D.; Bakeman, Roger; Kurkowski, Timothy W.; Noble, Constance C.; Winslow, Samuel W.

doi:10.1002/zoo.1430110307

Cited by 73 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The limitations of this study were similar to the ones faced by other studies which worked with wild species (Forthman et al, 1992;Jones and Pillay, 2004;Lindqvist et al, 2002;McGowan et al, 2010;Parker et al, 2006;Shepherdson et al, 1993;Weidenmayer, 1998), especially if endangered. These studies worked with the number of animals available to generate relevant data on less well-known species.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Contrafreeloading in maned wolves: Implications for their management and welfare

Vasconcellos¹,

Adania²,

Ades³

2012

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Contrafreeloading in maned wolves: Implications for their management and welfare

Vasconcellos¹,

Adania²,

Ades³

2012

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…Food enrichment is known to change the behavioural repertoire of captive animals in many ways. It can, for instance, increase the display of appetitive feeding behaviour, result in less inactivity and reduce abnormal behaviours, such as stereotypies (Hayes, 1990;Forthman et al, 1992;Stepherdson et al, 1993;Ings et al, 1996;O'Connor, 2000;Swaisgood et al, 2001;Shyne, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris)

Schipper

Vinke

Schilder

et al. 2008

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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In general, an animal's inability to perform specific behaviours (for example, due to a lack of suitable stimuli or physical restraint) is often viewed as a cause of reduced welfare of animals kept in captivity. There is increasing evidence that the opportunity to display more species-specific appetitive behaviours is beneficial to captive animals. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) housed under laboratory conditions.The behaviour of eight laboratory dogs (Toy group) was observed in their home cage during three trials (pre-toy, toy interaction and post-toy). During the toy interaction trial, the animals received the 'Kong extreme TM '; a rubber dog toy stuffed with dog treats. The behavioural observations of the Toy group were compared to those of a sham-treated control group without a feeding enrichment toy, which consisted of nine laboratory dogs that were simultaneously observed.This study demonstrated that the presence of these food enrichment toys stimulates appetitive behaviours and increases the level of activity (exercise), measured in terms of time budgets and the total number of behavioural transitions. Moreover, it also appears to result into lower barking frequencies.The provision of a relatively simple feeding enrichment toy appears to be a useful tool to stimulate appetitive and more variable behavioural patterns, at least in the short-term, thereby promoting the welfare of (laboratory) dogs housed in kennels. The method of feeding enrichment used in this study may also be useful for dogs in other facilities which lack sufficient stimuli, such as animal shelters. Future studies should include a larger sample, more control groups and additional observation methods to detect, for example, low-frequency behaviours. Furthermore, they should also focus on individual food preferences (long-term) habituation effects and the provision of feeding enrichments under social housing conditions. #

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“…Enrichment has been shown to increase activity levels and normal exploratory behaviors, while reducing abnormal pacing and hiding in bears and felids [Forthman et al, 1992;Carlstead et al, 1993a,b;Shepherdson et al, 1993;Wielebnowski et al, 2002a,b;Bashaw et al, 2003].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral and physiologic responses to environmental enrichment in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

et al. 2007

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The ex situ population of maned wolves is not self-sustaining due to poor reproduction, caused primarily by parental incompetence. Studies have shown that environmental enrichment can promote natural parental behaviors in zoo animals. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral and physiological responses of maned wolves. During an 8-week experimental period, daily behavior observations and fecal sample collection were conducted on four adult wolves (2.2) individually housed in environments without enrichment. After 2 weeks, the wolves were chronologically provided with 2-week intervals of hiding dead mice around the exhibit, no enrichment, and introduction of boomer balls. Responses of the wolves to enrichment were assessed based on activity levels and exploratory rates, as well as the level of corticoid metabolites in fecal samples collected daily throughout the study period. Providing wolves with environmental enrichment significantly increased exploratory behaviors (Po0.05), especially when mice were hidden in the enclosure. Fecal corticoid concentrations were increased during periods of enrichment in males (Po0.05), but not in females. Overall, there were no correlations between behavioral responses to enrichment and fecal corticoid levels. Behavioral results suggest that environmental enrichment elicits positive effects on the behavior of captive maned wolves. There is evidence suggesting that providing animals with ability to forage for food is a more effective enrichment strategy than introducing objects. There is need for a longer term study to determine the impact of environmental enrichment in this species.

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Effects of feeding enrichment on behavior of three species of captive bears

Cited by 73 publications

References 6 publications

Contrafreeloading in maned wolves: Implications for their management and welfare

Contrafreeloading in maned wolves: Implications for their management and welfare

The effect of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris)

Behavioral and physiologic responses to environmental enrichment in the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

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