Targets of aggressive facial displays by golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus chrysogaster) at the Sacramento Zoo

Visitor—Animal Interactions at the Zoo

“…First, it should not be assumed that more indirect visitor-animal contact is without its problems. A number of studies have now shown that simply the presence of visitors in front of zoo exhibits can result in disruptions in the behavior of zoo primates, particularly the disruption of social behavior (Chamove et al 1988;Glaston et al 1984;Hosey and Druck 1987;Mitchell et al 1992b). Furthermore, as far as visitor attitudes are concerned, it may be that substituting a fiberglass elephant in demonstration or contact areas for a real elephant (as in Disneyland's Jungle River Cruise) is like substituting a plastic dog for a live pet dog.…”

Facial expression: An under-utilised tool for the assessment of welfare in mammals

“…Threatening facial expressions benefit both aggressor and receiver by allowing direct aggression and its potential consequences to be avoided (Judge and de Waal, 1993). Aggression, which may include facial signals, can also indicate perceived threat by the signaler, which may be directed towards within-group conspecifics, humans, or heterospecifics (e.g., neophobia) (Mitchell et al, 1992;Partan, 2002;Leonardi et al, 2010;Peiman et al, 2010). Aggressive behavior is associated with fearful or anxious affective states and stress (Galac and Knol, 1997;Boissy, 1995;Honess and Marin, 2006) that are relevant within a welfare framework.…”

“…Rates of agonistic and submissive facial expressions can indicate changes in social dynamics or escalation of aggressive interactions, which are normal in a natural context but are undesirable at elevated frequencies or intensities because of the potential for injury and distress (Kikusui and Mori, 2009;Akre et al, 2011). In golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus), for example, aggressive facial displays were measured in a zoo setting (Mitchell et al, 1992). It was found that zoo visitor numbers had a significant effect on the frequency of facial displays; lower visitor numbers were associated with fewer aggressive facial displays both towards humans and conspecifics.…”

Threats to observers, keepers, visitors, and others by zoo mangabeys (Cercocebus galeritus chrysogaster)

“…The three enclosures were identical wings in two four-wing monkey complexes also described and illustrated in MITCHELL et al (1990a). Two of the cages were in one four-wing complex (on opposite sides of the complex) and one of the cages was a wing in another identical complex about 18 m nearer the zoo entrance.…”