Hostile Interactions of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) towards Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) during Feeding Sessions in Captive Breeding Settings

Abstract

Natural wildlife habitats are regularly subjected to anthropogenic pressures for different purposes, which are heading the biodiversity towards drastic decline. Several endangered wild species are raised in captivity with the aim of re-introduction. In some instances, mixed herds’ rearing approach in captivity is adopted for providing social enrichment to captive stocks; however, the impacts of species on each other are least documented. We tested our prediction that keeping mixed herds of captive wild sheep and antelopes provides adequate social enrichment to the captive stocks: if interspecific interactions are balanced. In the current study, we studied the interspecific competition between mixed herds of captive Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) and Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) at Manglot Wildlife Park, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. We documented the negative effects of behavioural interference by Punjab urial on the feeding behaviour of Indian gazelle. The outcome of the current study revealed that Punjab urial are highly intolerant towards Indian gazelle, with high interference during feeding. Out of the total aggressive events, 77% (N = 1259) of events ended up with win/loss, in which Punjab urial dominated the Indian gazelle 3.5 times. Moreover, lopsided dominance by Punjab urial resulted in increased intraspecific competition among Indian gazelle (p < 0.001). Current study divulged Indian gazelle to be the subordinate species, with less intake of food. Instead of providing social enrichment by heterospecifics, the Punjab urial is negatively affecting the Indian gazelle, therefore, the results of our study discourage the practice of admix captive breeding for wild sheep and antelopes.

The importance of regulatory compliance in wildlife captive breeding: Case study from deer captive breeding in Indonesia

“…Population management emphasizes setting the composition of the population, which is very important in supporting the reproductive process (Christie et al 2012;Zakaria et al 2016;Kaumanns et al 2020). At the same time, habitat management is emphasized by providing the availability and adequacy of deer feed at all times (Dahlan and Dawend 2013;Khattak et al 2021). This feed is vital in supporting the growth and performance of deer in captivity so that deer in captivity have reproductive capabilities according to the developmental age of the deer (Hutapea et al 2021).…”

Agonistic interactions and social behaviors in the Saharan Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas neglecta): Using social network analysis to evaluate relationships and social structure in captive male groups

“…However, when it becomes excessive, it can lead to severe injuries and even to the death of individuals, negatively impacting animal welfare, reproductive success, and ultimately, conservation (Kaandorp, 2012;Khattak et al, 2021). One of the most notorious problems for some ungulate species in captivity are the high levels of aggression that adult males can reach in male-only groups (Kaandorp, 2012;Khattak et al, 2021;López & Abáigar, 2013;Salas et al, 2018;Stensland et al, 2003).…”

“…Agonistic behavior is a natural behavior involved in different biological processes, such as territory maintenance, resource defense, and hierarchy establishment (Apio et al, 2007; Blank et al, 2014; Rajagopal & Archunan, 2016; Rajagopal et al, 2010; Rhim, 2012). However, when it becomes excessive, it can lead to severe injuries and even to the death of individuals, negatively impacting animal welfare, reproductive success, and ultimately, conservation (Kaandorp, 2012; Khattak et al, 2021). One of the most notorious problems for some ungulate species in captivity are the high levels of aggression that adult males can reach in male‐only groups (Kaandorp, 2012; Khattak et al, 2021; López & Abáigar, 2013; Salas et al, 2018; Stensland et al, 2003).…”

“…However, when it becomes excessive, it can lead to severe injuries and even to the death of individuals, negatively impacting animal welfare, reproductive success, and ultimately, conservation (Kaandorp, 2012; Khattak et al, 2021). One of the most notorious problems for some ungulate species in captivity are the high levels of aggression that adult males can reach in male‐only groups (Kaandorp, 2012; Khattak et al, 2021; López & Abáigar, 2013; Salas et al, 2018; Stensland et al, 2003). Negative interactions can promote stress, which not only leads to serious consequences on individuals' physiological and psychological state (Khattak et al, 2021), but also restricts the success of conservation programs causing failures in reintroduction or translocation programs (Teixeira et al, 2007).…”

“…One of the most notorious problems for some ungulate species in captivity are the high levels of aggression that adult males can reach in male‐only groups (Kaandorp, 2012; Khattak et al, 2021; López & Abáigar, 2013; Salas et al, 2018; Stensland et al, 2003). Negative interactions can promote stress, which not only leads to serious consequences on individuals' physiological and psychological state (Khattak et al, 2021), but also restricts the success of conservation programs causing failures in reintroduction or translocation programs (Teixeira et al, 2007). Stress can even reduce biological fitness of individuals or compromise population survival due to illness (Foris et al, 2019).…”