Gum feeder as environmental enrichment for zoo marmosets and tamarins

Abstract

Tamarins and marmosets are small‐bodied social callitrichines. Wild callitrichines feed on exudates, such as sap and gum; particularly, marmosets are mainly gummivores, while tamarins consume gums only occasionally and opportunistically. Zoo marmosets and tamarins are usually provided with gum arabic as an alternative to the exudates normally found in the wild. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a gum feeder on the behavior and well‐being of four zoo‐managed callitrichines. We studied four cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), four red‐handed tamarins (S. midas), two pygmy marmosets (Cebuella pygmaea), and three Geoffroy's marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi) housed at Parco Natura Viva (Italy). We conducted the study over two different periods, a baseline (control, without the gum feeder) and then a gum feeder (when the gum feeder was provided) period. We used continuous focal animal sampling to collect behavioral data, including durations of social and individual behaviors. We collected 240 min of observations per period per study subject, with a total of 3,120 min for all the subjects in the same period and of 6,240 min in both periods. We analyzed data by using nonparametric statistical tests. First, we found that the gum feeder promoted species‐specific behaviors, such as exploration, and diminished self‐directed behaviors, suggesting an enriching effect on tamarin and marmoset behavior. Moreover, in red‐handed tamarins, the provision of the gum feeder reduced the performance of self‐directed and abnormal behavior, specifically coprophagy. These results confirm that gum feeders are effective foraging enrichment tools for zoo marmosets and tamarins.

A Comparative Multi-Zoo Survey Investigating the Housing and Husbandry of Callimico goeldii

“…Callimico are not obligate gum feeders, although it forms part of their opportunistic diet in the wild [5] and is important to the behavioral and physical needs of captive callitrichids [42]. This study did not examine daily nutritional provision, but gum was only reported as a component of enrichment by 69% of zoos, although it can be an easy and effective method of promoting positive welfare [57]. One collection reported that fecal consistency improved following the introduction of gum enrichment.…”

Environmental Enrichment and Its Effect on the Welfare of Two Asian Elephants in Africam Safari Wildlife Conservation Park (Puebla, Mexico)

“…Numerous studies with various species of zoo animals such as lions [21], marmosets [22], chimpanzees [23], orangutan [24], lemurs [25], and African wild dogs [26] have demonstrated the positive impact of environmental enrichment on well-being outcome including physiological responses to stress and boredom.…”

Psychological and social well‐being of bony fishes in zoos and aquariums

“…Aggression can have direct, immediate impacts in the form of physical injury, which is typically assumed to induce pain and is generally interpreted as negative welfare (reviewed by Martins et al, 2012). A feeding regime that employs demand on the part of the animal, as is often done for terrestrial zoo animals (Regaiolli et al, 2020), has been done for farmed fishes but has not been done with zoo and aquarium fishes as far as we know (Almazán‐Rueda et al, 2004; Noble et al, 2007). Quantitative behavioral observations would be an excellent way for zoos and aquariums to enhance their feeding regimes for individual bony fishes.…”