To hunt or not to hunt? A feeding enrichment experiment with captive large felids

Bashaw, Meredith J.; Bloomsmith, Mollie A.; Marr, Michael; Maple, Terry L.

doi:10.1002/zoo.10065

Cited by 104 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…We collected behavioral data in two phases: 1) prior to the addition of the enrichment (baseline) from October 2006 to March 2007 and 2) following the addition of the enrichment from September 2007 to May 2008. Sampling was carried out on Saturdays from 0900 h to 1600 h. Although we recognize that gathering data after the removal of the enrichment is important to evaluate to what extent the stimuli improved the animals' behavior (Bashaw et al, 2003), time and logistical constraints prevented us from doing so. Sampling was always performed under on-exhibit conditions, i.e., when the jaguars were exposed to visitors.…”

Section: Experimental Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there is little doubt about the effectiveness of environmental enrichment on reducing stereotypic and abnormal behavior, the remaining challenge has been to determine suitable enrichment models for a given species. Different models have been introduced to felid enclosures, varying from novel food items or olfactory stimuli (Mellen and Shepherdson, 1997;McPhee, 2006;Bashaw et al, 2003;Wells and Egli, 2004;Skibiel et al, 2007;Quirke and O'Riordan, 2011;Resende et al, 2011) to objects or physical toys (Moreira et al, 2007). Until recently the provisioning of novel scents as enrichment alternatives for felids had been overlooked when compared to food items (Skibiel et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

et al. 2016

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Captive animals exhibit stereotypic pacing in response to multiple causes, including the inability to escape from human contact. Environmental enrichment techniques can minimize pacing expression. By using an individual-based approach, we addressed whether the amount of time two males and a female jaguar (Panthera onca) devote to pacing varied with the number of visitors and tested the effectiveness of cinnamon and black pepper in reducing pacing. The amount of time that all jaguars engaged in pacing increased significantly with the number of visitors. Despite the difference between the males regarding age and housing conditions, both devoted significantly less time to pacing following the addition of both spices, which indicates their suitability as enrichment techniques. Mean time devoted to pacing among the treatments did not differ for the female. Our findings pointed out to the validity of individual-based approaches, as they can reveal how suitable olfactory stimuli are to minimizing stereotypies irrespective of particular traits.Keywords: behavior, jaguar, pacing, Panthera onca, public exposure, spice provisioning.O efeito do número de visitantes e do provisionamento de especiaria na expressão do pacing por onças-pintadas avaliado por estudo de caso ResumoAnimais cativos exibem a estereotipia pacing em resposta a múltiplos fatores, os quais incluem a incapacidade de escapar da exposição ao público. As técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental podem minimizar a expressão do pacing. Usando uma abordagem individual, nós investigamos se a extensão de tempo que dois machos e uma fêmea de onça-pintada (Panthera onca) dispendem com pacing variou em função do número de visitantes e testamos a eficácia da canela e da pimenta-do-reino na redução do pacing. A extensão de tempo em pacing aumentou significativamente com o número de visitantes para todos os indivíduos. Apesar da diferença entre os machos com relação à idade e às condições no cativeiro, ambos devotaram ao pacing menos tempo após a administração das duas especiarias, o que indica a adequabilidade dessas como técnicas de enriquecimento. Para a fêmea, o tempo médio dispendido com pacing não variou entre os tratamentos. Nossos resultados respaldam a validade da realização de abordagens individuais, uma vez que essas podem revelar o grau de eficácia dos estímulos olfativos na minimização de estereotipias independentemente de características particulares.Palavras-chave: comportamento, onça-pintada, pacing, Panthera onca, exposição pública, especiaria no enriquecimento.

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Section: Experimental Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

et al. 2016

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“…Foraging enrichment in particular appears to be among the most effective measures (Crocket, 1998;Miller and Mench, 2005;Dixon et al, 2010) as the provision of foraging opportunities in captivity was found to 1) increase activity; 2) provide cognitive stimulation and manipulative activities; 3) alleviate stress, frustration and boredom; and 4) reduce and prevent aggression, and abnormal repetitive behaviours, including stereotypies (Bloomsmith et al, 1988;Shepherdson et al, 1993;Spoolder et al, 1995;Baker, 1997;Aerni et al, 2000;Bashaw et al, 2003;Johnson et al, 2004;Honess and Marin, 2006;VargasAshby and Pankhurst, 2007;Brinch-Riber and Mench, 2008). In parrots, provision of foraging enrichments has been associated with positive behavioural changes and welfare effects (Coulton et al, 1997;van Hoek and King, 1997;Meehan et al, 2003Meehan et al, , 2004Elson and Marples, 2001;Lumeij and Hommers, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of foraging enrichments to increase foraging time in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus)

Zeeland

Schoemaker

Ravesteijn

et al. 2013

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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a b s t r a c tForaging enrichment is considered one of the most effective strategies to improve welfare and reduce stereotypies and other abnormal repetitive behaviours in captive animals, including parrots. Few studies, however, have investigated the effects of the different types of enrichment and determined their effect on increasing foraging times and foraging-related activities.To study the effect of different types of enrichment on foraging activity, eleven types of foraging enrichment [multiple bowls, mixing food with inedible items, larger-sized food particles, and 8 puzzle feeders] were tested in 12 Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). After acclimatization and assessment of baseline foraging times, enrichments were presented in a random order. Video recordings were used to analyze total foraging times and times spent on the different foraging activities. In addition, the frequencies and duration of foraging bouts, and the times at which they occurred, were determined. The learning curves and presence of habituation to the enrichment over a 1-week period were also assessed.Parrots needed 8.3 ± 1.1 days to learn how to use the foraging enrichments. For two of the puzzle feeders, it took considerably longer. Nine out of eleven foraging enrichments were able to significantly increase foraging times, with the most effective enrichments resulting in a 2-to 2.5-fold increase compared to baseline values (47 ± 18 min). The increases in time spent on foraging could be attributed to an increased amount of time spent on enrichmentrelated activities and/or an increased amount of time spent on food-related activities. None of the enrichments (including the use of multiple bowls in different locations) resulted in significant increases in time spent on locomotory behaviours (i.e. movement towards or away from the feeding site). No significant downwards trends in foraging times were observed over the 1-week observation period. The duration of the observations may, however, have been too short to demonstrate habituation effects.Results of this study show that distinct differences are present in the difficulty level, efficacy and time allocation, thereby affecting the choice for a particular foraging enrichment. Although most of the foraging enrichments were able to significantly increase foraging time, none of the enrichments were able to increase foraging times to levels comparable with that of wild conspecifics (i.e. 4-6 hours per day). New, more effective types of foraging enrichment should therefore be developed and tested.

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“…One measure to counter the loss of hunting skills and to improve animal's well-being is the feeding with live prey (Bashaw et al, 2003;Rabin, 2003). For example, in species of felids, the provision of live prey was found to increase activity and enclosure utilisation, and to reduce stereotypic behavior (Shepherdson et al, 1993;Bashaw et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding live prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland

et al. 2009

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Feeding life-prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland AbstractIn summer 2007, with the help of a written questionnaire, the attitudes of more than 400 visitors to the zoological garden of Zurich, Switzerland, towards the idea of feeding live insects to lizards, live fish to otters, and live rabbits to tigers were investigated. The majority of Swiss zoo visitors agreed with the idea of feeding live prey (invertebrates and vertebrates) to zoo animals, both off-and on-exhibit, except in the case of feeding live rabbits to tigers on-exhibit. Women and frequent visitors of the zoo disagreed more often with the on-exhibit feeding of live rabbits to tigers. Study participants with a higher level of education were more likely to agree with the idea of feeding live invertebrates and vertebrates to zoo animals off-exhibit. In comparison to an earlier study undertaken in Scotland, zoo visitors in Switzerland were more often in favor of the live feeding of vertebrates. Feeding live prey can counter the loss of hunting skills of carnivores and improve the animals' well-being. However, feeding enrichments have to strike a balance between optimal living conditions of animals and the quality of visitor experience. Our results show that such a balance can be found, especially when live feeding of mammals is carried out off-exhibit. A good interpretation of food enrichment might help zoos to win more support for the issue, and for re-introduction programs and conservation. Cottle, L., Bühler, D., Hyseni, M., Tamir, D., Lindemann-Matthies, P. 2009. Feeding life-prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland. Zoo Biology 28: 1-7.

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To hunt or not to hunt? A feeding enrichment experiment with captive large felids

Cited by 104 publications

References 25 publications

The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

The effect of visitor number and spice provisioning in pacing expression by jaguars evaluated through a case study

Efficacy of foraging enrichments to increase foraging time in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus)

Feeding live prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland

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