The effects of a zoo environment on free‐living, native small mammal species

Abstract

One of the main threats to native species conservation is urbanisation. It is causing changes to natural habitats and species composition. Urban green spaces have shown to have conservation value for native species by providing safe spaces in urban areas. They typically contain a variety of habitats and plant species which is correlated with greater abundance and diversity of small mammal species. Zoos are a vital resource for animal conservation and, in some instances, could be considered as an urban green space for native species conservation. Their unique environment provides free-living, native species an abundance of resources including food and shelter. This project involved the live trapping of free-living small mammal species (<40 g) between enclosures in Dudley Zoological Gardens to study the effects of the zoo environment. There were no significant differences found between the total number of captures and trap proximity to enclosures. There was a significant difference in total captures found between different enclosure trapping areas. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted to the data and there were significant relationships between abundance and both habitat type and enclosure species.Habitats associated with semi-natural woodland had the greatest diversity and total captures of small mammals. Total captures were lower in trapping areas that were associated with predatory species. Similar to research on green spaces, habitat was an important factor determining abundance, but predator enclosures were a factor unique to zoos. This study illustrates the potential of zoos as an urban green space and for the study of small mammals.

Zooscape ecology: a conceptual analysis of zoos and landscape ecology

“…Zoos fit naturally into this network. As we discussed earlier, zoos represent an important ecological reservoir for many wild species in urban areas (Elwell et al 2021). Zoos are also a clear social resource.…”

“…Today, zoos are increasingly recognized for the value they pose to native species and human visitors as a reservoir of natural surroundings in urban settings. One recent study demonstrated the value of zoos as habitat for small mammal species (Elwell et al 2021). The authors suggested that because zoos often are located in cities but not immediately adjacent to residential areas and additionally utilize barriers such as perimeter fencing, zoos indirectly may have smaller local populations of feral cats than that of the surrounding area (Elwell et al 2021).…”

“…One recent study demonstrated the value of zoos as habitat for small mammal species (Elwell et al 2021). The authors suggested that because zoos often are located in cities but not immediately adjacent to residential areas and additionally utilize barriers such as perimeter fencing, zoos indirectly may have smaller local populations of feral cats than that of the surrounding area (Elwell et al 2021). This suggests that zoos act as valuable urban green spaces for native small mammals.…”