Research as an enrichment tool to improve welfare in captive animals

Ortiz, Sara Torres; Maxwell, Alyssa; Hansen, Kirstin Anderson

doi:10.15761/ahdvs.1000124

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The use of effective enrichment in the long term also must be a dynamic and goal-oriented process where the stimuli given are changed regularly and there are new stimuli given periodically (Young et al 2020) so that the animal does not lose interest in the given enrichment (Vasconcellos et al 2012). Another thing to consider is that captive animals may react to enrichment differently, both between species and between animals of different personalities (Ortiz et al 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The activity budgets of captive orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in two different Indonesian zoos

Dalimunthe¹,

Alikodra²,

Iskandar³

et al. 2021

Biodiversitas

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Abstract. Dalimunthe NP, Alikodra HS, Iskandar E, Atmoko SSU. 2021. The activity budgets of captive orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in two different Indonesian zoos. Biodiversitas 22: 1912-1919. In nature, orangutans spent most of the activity budgets for foraging. It is presumed that orangutan in captivity carries out different activities. This study aimed to investigate the activity of Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in different zoos with different types of cage according to their design, enrichments, and diets. It was conducted at two different Indonesian zoos, namely Ragunan Zoo (TMR) and Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI). The study used a total of 11 orangutans. From each zoo, orangutan individuals from each zoo and each age and sex class (adult male, adult female, and juvenile/juvenile) were used in the present study. The activity budgets were compared between age-sexual classes, cage types, and weekday-holiday categories. Environmental enrichment analysis was also used. The total observation time in this study for each individual was 4,500 minutes. The adult male had more resting activity than other groups, while the juvenile group showed a higher percentage of social, moving, and feeding activities. It was also observed that there were different activity budgets between individuals in a separate cage and week-holiday groups. Overall, it was assumed that the difference in orangutan activity budgets was influenced by cage types, individual arrangements, and environmental enrichment. Meanwhile, a juvenile showed a higher percentage of enrichment using. Enrichment was influenced by cage type and individual arrangement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The activity budgets of captive orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in two different Indonesian zoos

Dalimunthe¹,

Alikodra²,

Iskandar³

et al. 2021

Biodiversitas

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“…This pilot study offers a field method for research on the cognitive skills of wild territorial raptors. It could also be used in a captive setting of raptor sanctuaries where cognitive testing could potentially be implemented as part of enrichment protocols, 45 especially for injured birds which cannot be released back to the wild. We hope to stimulate further investigations, which could include increasing the number of replicates to investigate individual differences in neotic styles and responses among various raptor populations and presenting problem-solving tasks in order to avoid ‘mistaking courage for brains’.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Novelty at dawn: Exploration, low neophobia and crepuscular activity in a wild Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Mioduszewska

O’Hara

Stryjek

2021

Avian Biology Research

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Raptor cognition has received limited research attention, despite the importance of comparative investigations for reconstructing the evolution of complex cognition. Field studies provide essential ecological context for cognition in the natural habitat, although this approach is often challenging due to extensive procedures involved in cognitive testing. One predisposition suggested to contribute to problem-solving behaviour is the response to novel stimuli. In this pilot study, a novel object test was conducted on an outdoor feeding platform to assess the neotic responses of a single wild free-ranging Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo), a generalist/opportunist diurnal predator species. Additionally, data on its daily activity were collected. As predicted, the subject expressed low neophobia and some exploratory behaviours. Interestingly, it repeatedly arrived on the platform in low light conditions. This study highlights the influence of foraging ecology on cognitive predispositions and offers a field method for research on raptor cognition.

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“…Zoo animals do not face the survival pressures of their wild counterparts and therefore one of main challenges of the captive environment is providing the animals with adequate stimulation [ 20 , 70 ]. Conducting research tasks in zoos can be a significant source of stimulation for the animals, as is often very complementary to existing enrichment programs [ 20 , 79 , 80 ]. Traditional enrichment often manifests as the addition of structures or objects which aim to stimulate different senses, management of social groupings, visitor interactions, or through training sessions [ 81 , 82 ].…”

Section: Why Should Zoos Conduct Cognitive Bias Research?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Bias in Zoo Animals: An Optimistic Outlook for Welfare Assessment

Clegg¹

2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryCognitive bias testing has emerged as one of the most valid tools in measuring animals’ affective states, and while it has been extensively applied in farm and laboratory settings, only a few studies have taken place in zoos and aquaria. This review evaluates past cognitive bias studies on non-domesticated, “exotic” species kept in zoos or other settings and uses their experiences to make recommendations for establishing this research in zoos. The many variables inherent to functioning zoo environments will determine the scope and design of cognitive bias studies, but equally future efforts should be cognizant of the significant and unique benefits for the animals, managers, and scientists involved.AbstractCognitive bias testing measures how emotional states can affect cognitive processes, often described using the “glass half-full/half-empty” paradigm. Classical or operant conditioning is used to measure responses to ambiguous cues, and it has been reported across many species and contexts that an animal’s cognitive bias can be directly linked to welfare state, e.g., those in better welfare make more optimistic judgements. Cognitive bias testing has only recently been applied to animals and represents a key milestone in welfare science: it is currently one of the only accurate methods available to measure welfare. The tests have been conducted on many farm, laboratory, and companion animal species, but have only been carried out in zoo settings a handful of times. The aims of this review are to evaluate the feasibility of cognitive bias testing in zoos and its potential as a tool for studying zoo animal welfare. The few existing zoo cognitive bias studies are reviewed, as well as those conducted on similar, non-domesticated species. This work is then used to discuss how tests could be successfully designed and executed in zoo settings, which types of tests are most appropriate in different contexts, and how the data could be used to improve animal welfare. The review closely examines the many variables are present in the zoo which cannot be controlled as in other settings, termed here the Zoo Environment (ZE) Variables. It is recommended that tests are developed after consideration of each of the ZE Variables, and through strong collaboration between zookeepers, managers, and academic institutions. There is much unexplored potential of cognitive bias testing in the zoo setting, not least its use in investigating animal welfare in zoos. It is hoped that this review will stimulate increased interest in this topic from zoo managers, scientists, and industry regulators alike.

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Research as an enrichment tool to improve welfare in captive animals

Cited by 3 publications

References 15 publications

The activity budgets of captive orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in two different Indonesian zoos

The activity budgets of captive orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) in two different Indonesian zoos

Novelty at dawn: Exploration, low neophobia and crepuscular activity in a wild Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Cognitive Bias in Zoo Animals: An Optimistic Outlook for Welfare Assessment

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