Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis

Abstract

Prolonged and repetitive COVID-19 facility closures have led to an abrupt cessation of visitors within UK and Irish zoos for variable periods since March 2020. This study sought to increase understanding of the impact of closures and reopenings on animal behaviour, thereby broadening understanding of whether zoo animals habituate to visitors. Data were collected from June to August 2020 at two UK facilities on eight species (n = 1 Chinese goral, n = 2 Grevy’s zebra, n = 11 swamp wallaby, n = 2 Rothschild’s giraffe, n = 2 nyala, n = 4 Chapman’s zebra, n = 2 snow leopard and n = 3 Amur leopard). Behaviour change and enclosure use was variable across species but most changes were non-significant. Grevy’s zebra engaged in more comfort behaviour during closure periods than post-closure (p < 0.05). Chinese goral engaged in more environmental interactions during closure periods (p < 0.05). Grevy’s zebra spent longer than would be expected by chance closest to public viewing areas during closure periods (p < 0.008). These results suggest variable impacts of covid-19 closures and reopenings, mirroring human-animal interaction literature. We highlight the potential for some species to take longer to re-habituate to the presence of zoo visitors. As facility closures/reopenings are ongoing, we advocate a longitudinal monitoring approach. Furthermore, we recommend incorporation of physical and physiological measures of welfare where possible, alongside behavioural responses, to enable a holistic approach to answering fundamental questions on whether zoo animals habituate to visitors.

Bold Frogs or Shy Toads? How Did the COVID-19 Closure of Zoological Organisations Affect Amphibian Activity?

“…The increase in amphibian visibility in the Golden Mantella Exhibit in September, compared to August (Figure 1), may indicate a short habituation period to visitor presence, and such periods of habituation have also been noted in other studies [21]. Combined with the trend seen in March (Figure 1), golden mantella may recover quicker to new situations.…”

“…Visitor presence has been recorded as influencing enclosure usage in other taxa [18], but any "visitor effect" needs to be measured and evaluated alongside other environmental influences occurring at the same time, e.g., weather conditions [19,20]. Visitor presence may reduce the amount of usable space in the captive environment and consequently reduce the animal's ability to perform a full behavioural repertoire [21]. Visitor presence can have a mixed effect on animals in zoos, ranging from potentially negative impacts [22], to neutral impacts or no effect [23] and positive influences on animal activity [24].…”

Animal Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the Welfare of Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In one study of a group of captive gorillas in a zoo in the USA, the total absence of zoo visitors as a consequence of the pandemic lockdown produced no substantive effect on animal behavior [272]. Similar results were found in observations of the behavior of several species at zoos in Ireland and the United Kingdom [65]. An Australian aquarium, on the other hand, reported that its fish were "depressed" without their usual human visitors, and increased diver swim times in the larger tanks in an effort to improve their animals; welfare [273].…”

“…Horse owners in the United Kingdom expressed concern about their inabilities to ride or interact with their horses and the likely negative effects that such reduced interactions might have on those animals [64]. In yet another article, reduced interactions with zoo visitors as a consequence of mandated lockdowns was reported to increase vigilance and human avoidance in some zoo animal species, and increase human proximity-seeking in others [65]. Taken together, these data suggest that the current pandemic, in addition to its grave effects on the welfare of humans, may have significant impacts on nonhuman animal welfare.…”

“…An Australian aquarium, on the other hand, reported that its fish were "depressed" without their usual human visitors, and increased diver swim times in the larger tanks in an effort to improve their animals; welfare [273]. Zoos and aquariums are advised to monitor their charges carefully for behavioral and physiological indicators of distress as restrictions are lifted and visitors begin to return to their facilities, to ensure that their animal charges do not suffer as a consequence of this change in their environments [65].…”