Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals

Harley, Jessica J.; Rowden, Lewis J.; Clifforde, Lisa; Power, Aisling; Stanley, Christina R.

doi:10.1002/zoo.21676

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, several other published reports of evening events in zoos (which vary greatly by duration, visitor type, music type, fireworks and/or music, as well as species studied) monitor animal responses before, during, and after events; but these events are presumed to be, rather than quantified as, noisy [e.g., ( 114 – 117 )]. Researchers recently performed a multi-species comparison of the effects of concerts on zoo animal behavior, comparing pre-, post- and during-event median decibel levels and animal behavior ( 118 ).…”

Section: Acoustic Research 2: Measuring Environmental Soundsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Soundwave to Soundscape: A Guide to Acoustic Research in Captive Animal Environments

Clark

Dunn²

2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sound is a complex feature of all environments, but captive animals' soundscapes (acoustic scenes) have been studied far less than those of wild animals. Furthermore, research across farms, laboratories, pet shelters, and zoos tends to focus on just one aspect of environmental sound measurement: its pressure level or intensity (in decibels). We review the state of the art of captive animal acoustic research and contrast this to the wild, highlighting new opportunities for the former to learn from the latter. We begin with a primer on sound, aimed at captive researchers and animal caregivers with an interest (rather than specific expertise) in acoustics. Then, we summarize animal acoustic research broadly split into measuring sound from animals, or their environment. We guide readers from soundwave to soundscape and through the burgeoning field of conservation technology, which offers new methods to capture multiple features of complex, gestalt soundscapes. Our review ends with suggestions for future research, and a practical guide to sound measurement in captive environments.

show abstract

Section: Acoustic Research 2: Measuring Environmental Soundsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Soundwave to Soundscape: A Guide to Acoustic Research in Captive Animal Environments

Clark

Dunn²

2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The 'visitor effect' on captive animal behaviour and welfare has been well studied: visitors may be perceived by animals as an enriching, neutral or undesirable stimulus [15][16][17]. Williams., et al [18] monitored the impacts of COVID-19 zoo closures on the behaviour and enclosure use of slender-tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta). The meerkats studied used more of their enclosures during periods of closure; then upon reopening, spent longer than expected in zones furthest from visitor viewing areas [18].…”

Section: Visitor Impact On Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Williams., et al [18] monitored the impacts of COVID-19 zoo closures on the behaviour and enclosure use of slender-tailed meerkats (Suricata suricatta). The meerkats studied used more of their enclosures during periods of closure; then upon reopening, spent longer than expected in zones furthest from visitor viewing areas [18]. A key aspect of visitor presence that may affect animal behaviour and welfare is visitor noise [19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Visitor Impact On Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

How do Zoo Evening Events at ZSL London Zoo Affect Sumatran Tiger Behaviour and Enclosure

Pastorino¹,

Stubbington²,

Brereton³

et al. 2022

Act Sci VetSci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Globally, zoological collections may host public events after usual opening hours including festivals, special tours and evening events, in order to generate income. During the summer of 2014, The Zoological Society of London held a series of nine evening events during which zoos' opening hours were extended, with entertainment offerings such as tours and visitor events provided.This study investigated the effect of evening events on the behaviour and enclosure use of five Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) at ZSL London Zoo. Instantaneous focal sampling was utilised to collect behavioural data and enclosure zone occupancy.Measures of visitor density, crowd noise volume and flash photography data were collected to identify their effect on behaviour and enclosure use. Overall, there was a significant decrease in feeding, locomotion and playing, and a significant increase in resting during event evenings. The event behaviours stretching, spraying, rubbing, flehmen and glass banging also occurred significantly more often during events than on control evenings. There was a significant difference in enclosure use between evening event and control nights, with tigers using distant zones more frequently during events. These data suggest that overall, event nights could influence the behaviour of zoo-housed tigers. In addition to altering their behaviour, tigers appear to exercise choice in space use to reduce the impact of visitor presence during evenings. Future studies should explore these potential impacts across a wider range of felids and investigate the effects of the different stimuli produced by visitors. This information can therefore be used to inform planning of effective mitigation strategies.

show abstract

“…Events may therefore have ramifications for animal welfare. Zoos must balance animal welfare with increased footfall and income when holding these events [5,6]. Understanding the impact of these potential stressors is vital in developing an effective zoo management strategy [7], which is required to maintain a high standard of animal welfare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impacts of Evening Events in Zoos: A Christmas Event at Knowsley Safari

Williams

Fulwell

Walsh

et al. 2023

JZBG

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

It is important to examine the animal welfare implications of all aspects of zoo operations, including out-of-hours public events. Research to date has indicated variable responses across species and event types. The current research aimed to understand and quantify the impact of a Christmas lights event. Four species of ungulates: Rothschild giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi; n = 2) in one exhibit and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; n = 4), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris; n = 3) and vicuña (Lama vicugna; n = 5) in a mixed species exhibit were observed. Data were collected from 16:00–20:00 between 28 October 2021 and 11 January 2022. The event ran from mid-November to the end of December 2021. Five-minute behavioural observations were undertaken once per hour using instantaneous scan sampling with a one-minute inter-scan interval. A further six days of 12 h observations were conducted to enable a more detailed investigation post-event. Data collected were compared on non-event and event days using Mann–Whitney U tests (event vs. non-event) and Kruskal–Wallis tests (pre-event, event, post-event periods). Kruskal–Wallis tests and one-way ANOVAs were undertaken to compare behaviours during three time periods (12:00–16:00, 16:00–20:00, 20:00–00:00) over 12 h. Mixed behavioural responses were seen across the study species. Capybara spent more time in their house from 16:00–20:00 on event nights compared to non-event nights (p < 0.001) and tapir only engaged in vigilant behaviour from 16:00–20:00 when the event was held, (p = 0.044). There were no differences in frequency of behaviour between pre-event, event, and post-event observation periods, with the exception of capybara, who spent more time OOS in the pre-event period than during (p < 0.001) or after the event (p < 0.001). The results of the project, undertaken as part of an evidence-based management programme, highlighted that the event did not have any overtly negative impacts on the ungulates studied. Except for the giraffe, all individuals had free access to inside and outside environments, and it is believed this choice enabled animals to be active in managing their response to the event. It is recommended that future work observe animals over 24 h to understand whether events lead to behavioural changes the day after events or if animals reverted to normal activity once the event ended.

show abstract

Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals

Cited by 13 publications

References 43 publications

From Soundwave to Soundscape: A Guide to Acoustic Research in Captive Animal Environments

From Soundwave to Soundscape: A Guide to Acoustic Research in Captive Animal Environments

How do Zoo Evening Events at ZSL London Zoo Affect Sumatran Tiger Behaviour and Enclosure

The Impacts of Evening Events in Zoos: A Christmas Event at Knowsley Safari

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About