The influence of observer presence on baboon (Papio spp.) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) behavior

Iredale, Steven K.; Nevill, Christian H.; Lutz, Corrine K.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2009.11.002

Cited by 40 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…These findings concur with previous research demonstrating observer effects on behavioural patterns in different taxa, such as invertebrates (Baker & McGuffin, ; MacFarlane & King, ), reptiles (Kerr et al., ) and mammals (Iredale et al., ). Until recently, however, evidence for observer effects in behavioural studies of wild fishes has been sparse (but see Chapman et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Behavioural acclimation to cameras and observers in coral reef fishes

et al. 2017

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Observer presence can bias behavioural studies of animals in both the wild and the laboratory. Despite existing evidence for significant observer effects across several taxa, little is known about the minimum periods of acclimation that should precede behavioural observations. To date, most studies either do not report any acclimation periods or include a non‐specific period without empirically quantifying its appropriateness. Here, we conducted in situ behavioural observations of two species of demersal coral reef fishes using cameras and/or observers to examine the biases associated with either approach. For both treatments, we generated 25 min time series of a number of vigilance‐associated behaviours (i.e., distance from shelter and mate, time out of shelter, swimming activity) and estimated the point of acclimation using changepoint analysis. In the camera trials, acclimation in both species appeared to occur between 2 and 7 min for different behaviours. When an observer was present, however, no apparent acclimation occurred until the observer left the area. Overall, our findings demonstrate that (i) behavioural studies of wild fishes conducted by an observer may be biased due to permanent observer effects, and (ii) when using video equipment, a species‐ and behaviour‐specific acclimation period should precede behavioural scoring.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Behavioural acclimation to cameras and observers in coral reef fishes

et al. 2017

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“…Raising style, observation technique, and ambient temperature influenced a subset of focal behaviors. We may be able to attribute these changes to factors such as differences in stress levels among maternally deprived animals (Latham & Mason, ), human presence (Veasey, Waran, & Young, ), temperatures deviating from the animal's adapted range (Morgan & Tromborg ), and interactions of these factors (Iredale et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress and social behaviors of maternally deprived captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Siciliano-Martina

Martina

2018

Zoo Biology

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Maternal deprivation can cause long-term behavioral changes in captive mammals. Studies regarding captive ungulates have also indicated behavioral shifts in the presence of the animal keeping staff; however, little is known about these effects in captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis). To examine this, we observed a population of reticulated giraffes composed of maternally raised and maternally deprived individuals by direct and camera observations at Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, Michigan. We conducted observations using a unique ethogram with special regard for behaviors that might indicate stress or anti-social tendencies. Several variables can interact to create behavioral changes; to account for this, our study design examined the interactive effects of observation technique, raising style, and temperature on giraffe behavior. The results of these observations showed a significant increase in the rate of stereotypic and antisocial behaviors resulting from the interaction of observation technique and raising style. Stereotypic behaviors in particular showed a marked increased during cooler temperatures among giraffes of all raising style. Likewise, raising style, observation technique, and their interaction significantly impacted the time spent rubbing the enclosure. The findings of this study suggest that captive giraffe behavior can be a complex response to multiple factors and studies only examining single factors might oversimplify behavioral shifts.

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“…This effect has been shown in a number of mammals (Tamarin: Cain, 1990; skunks: Lariviere and Messier, 1998; non-human primates: Iredale et al, 2010). Humans can elicit three types of responses: attraction, habituation and avoidance (Whittaker and Knight, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Effects of the observation method (direct v. from video) and of the presence of an observer on behavioural results in veal calves

Leruste

Bokkers

Sergent

et al. 2013

Animal

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This study aimed at assessing the effect of the observation method (direct or from video) and the effect of the presence of an observer on the behavioural results in veal calves kept on a commercial farm. To evaluate the effect of the observation method, 20 pens (four to five calves per pen) were observed by an observer for 60 min (two observation sessions of 30 min) and videorecorded at the same time. To evaluate the effect of the presence of the observer in front of the pen, 24 pens were video-recorded on 4 consecutive days and an observer was present in front of each pen for 60 min (two observation sessions of 30 min) on the third day. Behaviour was recorded using instantaneous scan sampling. For the study of the observer's effect, the analysis was limited to the posture, abnormal oral behaviour and manipulation of substrates. The two observation methods gave similar results for the time spent standing, but different results for all other behaviours. The presence of an observer did not affect the behaviour of calves at day level; however, their behaviour was affected when the observer was actually present in front of the pens. A higher percentage of calves were standing and were manipulating substrate in the presence of the observer, but there was no effect on abnormal oral behaviour. In conclusion, direct observations are a more suitable observation method than observations from video recordings for detailed behaviours in veal calves. The presence of an observer has a short-term effect on certain behaviours of calves that will have to be taken into consideration when monitoring these behaviours.

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The influence of observer presence on baboon (Papio spp.) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) behavior

Cited by 40 publications

References 11 publications

Behavioural acclimation to cameras and observers in coral reef fishes

Behavioural acclimation to cameras and observers in coral reef fishes

Stress and social behaviors of maternally deprived captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)

Effects of the observation method (direct v. from video) and of the presence of an observer on behavioural results in veal calves

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