The utility of social network analysis for informing zoo management: Changing network dynamics of a group of captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) following an introduction of two young males

Abstract

Comprehensive knowledge of social groups within zoos allows for better understanding of the issues surrounding group stability and how to provide captive animals with optimal care. A developing area of sociality research that works to improve this understanding is social network analysis (SNA), which allows scientists to apply quantitative measures of group systems to represent social structure. In December 2015, Oakland Zoo introduced two new males to the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) exhibit. We examined the changing group structure of these baboons over the course of 6 months (July-December 2016) using social network analysis, specifically focusing on the changing social structure of the existing group and the utility of SNA methods for optimal care of captive animals. This study found that over time, the new males decreased their overall individual centrality, while some individuals had an increase in betweenness, a measure of an individual's intermediary role in the network. The results also illustrate the utility of social network analysis as tool for zoo management to examine how husbandry may have an impact on their animals, specifically for social species. Further research on the social networks of hamadryas baboon multi-clan formation could provide more information about the societal structure of this primate species, as well as the use of social network analysis as a valuable tool in captive animal management.

Using social network analysis to inform on the process of one‐male‐unit formation of hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in captivity

“…According to the association network clusters, Kusa and Milo are solitary males in relation to the rest of the group. This confirms trends reported in Radosevich et al (2021) where direct influence and centrality (a measure of the importance of a member on group structure or cohesion) of Kusa and Milo decreased as they became more peripheral members of the group, therefore an indication of early individual OMU development. Within a clan, solitary males have no access to any of the OMU's females (Pines et al, 2011).…”

“…With the group density and overall clustering coefficient in both the behavioral and association networks unchanging over time, our group cohesion results show that every baboon in the group is still connected, despite the development of a second OMU. Likewise, Radosevich et al (2021) reported similar findings in this group maintaining stability measures even as measures of group cohesion decrease.…”

“…T A B L E 3 Ethogram describing behaviors observed (Radosevich et al, 2021Swedell, 2006 format, which allows one column to be the "actor" and the corresponding column to be the "recipient" (Figure 1a). Once data are entered into UCINET (Figure 1a), UCINET creates a matrix of the data (Figure 1b), which we transformed into a network (Figure 1c).…”

“…In December 2015, Oakland Zoo introduced two novel juvenile males into the hamadryas baboon exhibit to create a more natural hamadryas social structure in the future. Previous research of the Oakland Zoo baboons showed the group was becoming less connected over time following the introduction of the juvenile males (Radosevich et al, 2021). It was hypothesized this was because the two males were preparing to form their own OMUs.…”

Individual personality predicts social network assemblages in a colonial bird

“…Once obtained, these data have the potential to inform management strategies such as enclosure design 27 , tracking disease transmission 28 and translocation 29 all of which has the potential to impact individual and group wellbeing. Alternatively, SNA can be used to provide evidence of change following intervention 30 . Such monitoring is critical in captive populations, as the promotion of healthy social relationships are important if high-standard living conditions are to be maintained 26 , 31 .…”