Naturalising diet to reduce stereotypic behaviours in slow lorises rescued from wildlife trade

Chatpongcharoen, Padcha; Campera, Marco; Laithong, Phadet; Gibson, Nancy; Nekaris, K.A.I.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105413

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(50 reference statements)

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“…Because we were not able to reliably discriminate among individuals from the camera footage, we were unable to discern the effects of the seed pods versus the loss of the male on the observed rates of head‐rolling. Though not clear from this study due to the loss of the male langur, other work has shown that providing more naturalistic diets and encouraging zoo animals to spend more time foraging is an effective strategy to promote activity and potentially reduce stereotypic and undesirable behaviors (Baxter & Plowman, 2001; Cassella et al, 2012; Chatpongcharoen et al, 2021; Fuller et al, 2018; Koene & Visser, 1996; Ruempler, 1992; Schmucker et al, 2010; Struck et al, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…Zoo animals, particularly herbivores and folivores, typically have significantly reduced foraging/feeding times relative to their free‐ranging conspecifics (Britt, 1998; Kerridge, 2005; Less et al, 2014; Wiedenmayer, 1998). As a strategy to promote positive welfare, zoos and other captive care facilities often develop feeding practices with the aim of increasing time spent feeding while simultaneously aiming to decrease inactivity and rates of undesirable behaviors (Cabana et al, 2018; Chatpongcharoen et al, 2021; Dishman et al, 2009; Fuller et al, 2018; Less et al, 2014). One example of such practice is the provisioning of leafy or woody browse.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of honey locust seed pods on the behavior and nutrient intake of zoo‐housed François langurs and prehensile‐tailed porcupines

et al. 2023

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Seed pods represent an under‐utilized and valuable dietary resource for zoos because they encourage naturalistic extractive foraging behavior and because seeds pods, like leafy browses, are more fiber‐rich than most dietary items typically offered in zoos. The primary goal of this study was to examine the effects of honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) seed pods on the behavior and macronutrient intake of zoo‐housed François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi; n = 3) and prehensile‐tailed porcupines (Coendou prehensilis; n = 2) using a pre‐ versus postdiet implementation design. From December 2019 to April 2020, we recorded behavior using instantaneous interval sampling and daily macronutrient intake via dietary intake records. We found that time spent feeding increased (p < .001) and stereotypic behaviors decreased (p < .001) for the François’ langur group during the seed pod phase. The prehensile‐tailed porcupines also exhibited increased time spent feeding and decreased inactivity (p < .001 for all comparisons) during the experimental seed pod phase. We found no differences in macronutrient intake for the François’ langur group. The female prehensile‐tailed porcupine consumed more neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the seed pod phase (p = .003) and the male consumed more crude protein, NDF, nonstructural carbohydrates, and crude fat (p < .001 for all comparisons). We stress that honey locust seed pods are a fiber‐rich (i.e., ~40%–55% NDF by dry weight) dietary option for zoo‐housed folivores and promote positive welfare by encouraging naturalistic foraging behavior and may help increase foraging time and decrease stereotypic behaviors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of honey locust seed pods on the behavior and nutrient intake of zoo‐housed François langurs and prehensile‐tailed porcupines

et al. 2023

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“…Decontextualized language is used to discuss abstract concepts as well as entities that are not present. The ability to create and use decontextualized language is a crucial skill in attaining literacy (Peterson and Mccabe, 1994;Chatpongcharoen et al, 2021) and is linked to proficiency with academic language later in development (Uccelli et al, 2018). Decontextualized images have been used within an environmental communication setting precisely for their flexibility of interpretation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normal redefined: Exploring decontextualization of lorises (Nycticebus & Xanthonycticebus spp.) on social media platforms

Quarles¹,

Feddema²,

Campera³

et al. 2023

Front. Conserv. Sci.

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IntroductionDecontextualization is a concept from psychology whereby new words are learned outside of the context of the here-and-now. Decontextualized language is used for discussing abstract concepts and is crucial to the development of academic language. When it comes to images, a dearth of context can lead to a lack of clarity, such as the use of ambiguous decontextualized images in environmental communication, leading to the promotion of greenwashing. Here we refer to decontextualization as the removal of wildlife from their wild ecological context. Images and videos of globally threatened species are increasingly popular on social media. Showing such taxa alongside humans may impact public perceptions of their abundance and need for conservation and can increase illegal trade. One group of animals that are particularly popular on social media platforms are the slow and pygmy lorises (Nycticebus spp., Xanthonycticebus spp.).MethodsHere, we examined 100 videos from three popular social media platforms (YouTube, TikTok, and Giphy) to calculate how often and in which ways these videos remove slow lorises from their natural ecological and behavioural context. We also examined views and likes to determine viewer engagement trends. We used relevant content from each site to assess the presence of decontextualization using five conditions.ResultsIn all but two videos, conditions of decontextualization were present and 77% of all videos had four to five conditions of decontextualization. Using Spearman correlation, we found a significant effect of decontextualization scores on the number of views and likes for YouTube and TikTok videos. Views were significantly higher when videos presented animals in anthropogenic settings (i.e., in human-made structures or in proximity of human artefacts). Additionally, views on TikTok and YouTube were significantly higher when animals displayed signs of stress or ill health and when they were in unnatural conditions.DiscussionOur case study of lorises provides an example of the danger of decontextualizing wild animals on social media. Public preference for imagery where animals are neglected is indicative that better guidelines need to be put in place and policed by social media platforms. Additionally, conservationists need to develop strategies to promote wild imagery and further explore decontextualization if we are to understand and address the drivers of the rampant illegal wildlife trade online.

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“…Ecological research can play a valuable role in optimizing husbandry practices for diverse wildlife species in captivity. Ecological data from wild populations can inform species‐specific diets (Chatpongcharoen et al, 2021; Crissey & Pribyl, 1997; Williams et al, 2015) and social and housing conditions (Fàbregas et al, 2012; Frederick & Fernandes, 1996; Swaisgood & Schulte, 2010), while also contributing to the design of enrichment and experiences that encourage natural behaviors and minimize stereotypic ones (Kistler et al, 2009; Rabin, 2003; Wagman et al, 2018). Furthermore, ecologically informed management can improve the relevance of research data collected on managed populations and can help develop strategies to best prepare captive‐bred individuals for eventual reintroduction or translocation to natural or restored habitats (Reading et al, 2013; Tetzlaff et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest access restores foraging and ranging behavior in captive sifakas

et al. 2022

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Captive wildlife benefit from ecologically informed management strategies that promote natural behaviors. The Duke Lemur Center has pioneered husbandry programs rooted in species' ecology for a diversity of lemurs, including housing social groups in multiacre forest enclosures. We systematically document the foraging and ranging patterns of Coquerel's sifakas (Propithecus coquereli) living in these forest enclosures. Coquerel's sifakas are seasonal frugo-folivores that exhibit striking feeding flexibility in the wild. They are also one of the few members of the Indriidae family to persist in captivity. During all-day follows in the spring and summer of 2 consecutive years, we tracked the behavior of 14 sifakas in six forest enclosures.The sifakas' ranging and foraging patterns reflected those of wild sifakas in western Madagascar: On average, DLC sifakas occupied 3-day home ranges of 1.2 ha, traveled 473 m/day, and spent 26% of their time foraging for wild foodstuffs. The sifakas foraged most for young and mature leaves, fruits, nuts, and flowers from 39 plant species, especially red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), grapevine (Vitis rotundifolia), hickory (Carya spp.), and white oak (Quercus alba). Foraging patterns varied across seasons, enclosure areas, and groups, potentially reflecting differences in phenology, microhabitats, and individual preferences. While demonstrating that captive-bred primates express wild-like behaviors under ecologically relevant conditions, our results underscore the feeding flexibility of the Coquerel's sifaka. Captive wildlife exhibiting the range of species-specific behaviors are key resources for ecological research and might be best suited for future reintroductions.

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Naturalising diet to reduce stereotypic behaviours in slow lorises rescued from wildlife trade

Cited by 8 publications

References 40 publications

Effects of honey locust seed pods on the behavior and nutrient intake of zoo‐housed François langurs and prehensile‐tailed porcupines

Effects of honey locust seed pods on the behavior and nutrient intake of zoo‐housed François langurs and prehensile‐tailed porcupines

Normal redefined: Exploring decontextualization of lorises (Nycticebus & Xanthonycticebus spp.) on social media platforms

Forest access restores foraging and ranging behavior in captive sifakas

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