Individual and environmental factors associated with stereotypic behavior and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in zoo housed polar bears

Shepherdson, David; Lewis, Karen D.; Carlstead, Kathy; Bauman, Joan E.; Perrin, Nancy

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2013.01.001

Cited by 108 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Several studies have demonstrated that using hormone monitoring in conjunction with behavioral measures provide a better overall picture and understanding of welfare (Shepherdson, Carlstead, & Wielebnowski, 2004;Shepherdson, Lewis, Carlstead, Bauman, & Perrin, 2013;Wielebnowski & Brown, 2003). Non-invasive hormone monitoring, such as measuring glucocorticoids (GC), can provide valuable insight into how an animal responds and adapts with its environment (Baird et al, 2016;Schwarzenberger, 2007;Wielebnowski, 2003).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

Razal¹,

Bryant²,

Miller³

2017

AB&C

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Citation -Razal, C. B., Bryant, J., & Miller, L. J. (2017). Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 4(2), 154-164. https://doi.org/10.12966/abc.03.05.2017Abstract -In inclement weather, northern zoos are required to provide animals from warmer climates with indoor exhibits. These indoor exhibits are typically smaller, lack natural substrate, and have lower levels of stimulation for the animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the welfare of four reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) exhibited at the Chicago Zoological Society -Brookfield Zoo -during the summer in an outdoor enclosure compared to the winter in an indoor enclosure. A combination of direct behavioral observations, percentage of time spent recumbent, and adrenal hormone monitoring through fecal samples were utilized for a more comprehensive look at welfare. Individual variation was observed between the giraffe. An adult female giraffe engaged in Active Forage behavior significantly more in the winter compared to summer (mean difference = 0.23, p = 0.049). An adult female and a juvenile male displayed significantly more Active Non-Forage behavior in the summer than in the winter (mean difference = 0.32, p = 0.048; mean difference = 0.31, p = 0.048). The predominant behavior in the summer for the group as a whole was Active Non-Forage (59%), whereas Active Forage was most prevalent in the winter (60%). There was also a significant positive correlation between time spent recumbent per hour for each 24-hour day measured in the summer and winter (r = 0.51, p = 0.010). Although no significant differences were found for individual FGM concentrations between the seasons, average FGM concentrations for the group were 2306.67 ng/g in the summer and 4261.64 ng/g in the winter. Information gained from this study can help aid animal managers to make informed decisions to ensure each individual giraffe is thriving year-round. In addition, we hope this study can serve as a model to examine the seasonal welfare of other animals in zoological institutions with similar conditions.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring the behavioral and adrenal activity of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) to assess welfare during seasonal housing changes.

Razal¹,

Bryant²,

Miller³

2017

AB&C

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, Swaisgood and Shepherdson (2005) suggest two goals for enrichment research in zoos: prediction of the circumstances under which stereotypies are most likely to develop, and prediction of the types of enrichment strategies required to mitigate stereotypies across various taxa and circumstances. Multi-institutional studies are an excellent means of addressing these questions, and there have been some notable examples in recent years (e.g., Posta, Leighty, Alligood, & Carlstead, 2013;Shepherdson et al, 2004Shepherdson et al, , 2013. It is equally important to build a knowledge base that will allow us to determine, for example, the cause(s) of stereotypy for a particular polar bear and use that information to design environments to support species-typical behavior and measure effectiveness for that individual.…”

Section: Methods Of Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The population of animals of a particular species at any one zoo is often small enough to pose challenges for researchers attempting to use inferential statistics to support conclusions about the general population. Several researchers have recommended larger multi-institutional studies (e.g., Koene, 2013;Shepherdson et al, 2013;Swaisgood, 2007) with sample sizes large enough to meet the assumptions required for these tests (e.g., Shepherdson, 2003;Swaisgood & Shepherdson, 2005). We certainly agree that researchers should take care to ensure that the tests they use are appropriate to their questions, their methods, and their data.…”

Section: Methods Of Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mason et al (2007) estimated, through records review, a strikingly high prevalence of stereotypic behavior in several zoo animal populations. Shepherdson et al (2013) identified environmental enrichment and training as possible mitigating factors for stereotypic pacing in polar bears. Shyne (2006) reviewed the literature on the effectiveness of enrichment strategies designed to reduce stereotypy and found that the majority of studies reported that stereotypy was reduced when enrichment strategies were implemented.…”

Section: Enrichment Goals Strategies and Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mason and Latham (2004) and Mason et al (2007) made a case for the serious consideration of stereotypy as a potential indicator of less-than-optimal welfare. Shepherdson, Lewis, Carlstead, Bauman, and Perrin (2013) studied stereotypic pacing in a large sample of zoo-housed polar bears through direct observation and found that 47 of 55 bears engaged in some pacing. Mason et al (2007) estimated, through records review, a strikingly high prevalence of stereotypic behavior in several zoo animal populations.…”

Section: Enrichment Goals Strategies and Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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