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How does the zoo environment affect the behaviour of captive primates

The North American clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) population is far from self-sustaining Breeding success is poor and behavioral problems (ie, fur-plucking, tail-chewing, excessive hiding or pacing, and intersexual aggression that results in mate killing) are common This study was undertaken to investigate whether some of these problems may be indicators of chronic stress (as reflected by persistently elevated glucocorticoid levels) and whether they are associated with specific management factors A fecal corticoid metabolite assay was validated to monitor adrenal activity in clouded leopards Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenges conducted in four clouded leopards established the biological relevance of the assay system Fecal corticoid concentrations increased 14-fold above baseline within 24 hours after ACTH administration Adrenal activity then was monitored in 72 (36 males; 36 females) clouded leopards (65% of the North American Species Survival Plan population) during a 6-week period and compared to husbandry and behavior data There was a significant (P < 001) gender difference in fecal corticoid concentrations, with females producing higher concentrations than males Multiple regression analyses revealed negative associations (P < 001) between enclosure height, number of hours keepers spent with each animal per week, and corticoid concentrations A positive correlation (P < 0001) was found between the number of keepers caring for an individual and corticoid concentrations Higher fecal corticoid concentrations (P ≤ 005) were measured in clouded leopards kept on public display or near potential predators compared to individuals maintained off exhibit or in the absence of predators Individuals that performed self-injuring behaviors also had elevated fecal corticoids (P < 001) Spearman-rank correlation analysis of keeper ratings and hormone data revealed positive associations (P ≤ 005) between some behaviors (pace, sleep, hide, and fearful/tense) and fecal corticoid concentrations Overall these results indicate that noninvasive fecal corticoid monitoring has enormous potential for investigating how management and behavioral problems are related to animal well-being If conducted under carefully controlled experimental paradigms, this technique could allow researchers and managers to identify problem areas of captive management for clouded leopards (eg, enclosure height, keeper time) and evaluate the efficacy of strategies designed to promote animal welfare and increased reproductive success Zoo Biol 21:77–98, 2002 © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Noninvasive assessment of adrenal activity associated with husbandry and behavioral factors in the North American clouded leopard population

The aim of this study was to evaluate simple behavioral enrichment procedures for a captive group of tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). We examined the effects of providing a manipulatable substrate (straw) and a variety of portable objects in the monkeys' home cage. The animals were observed across three conditions in two replications: 1) No portable objects were present; 2) a set of six identical portable objects was present; and 3) a set of six varied portable objects was present. The cage floor was bare in the first replication; straw was uniformly spread on the cage floor in the second replication. An 18-month period of qualitative note taking followed completion of the initial data collection phase.

The presence of straw and portable objects affected patterns of affiliation by decreasing quiet contact and close proximity. Providing additional manipulative opportunities affected both the form and frequency of object-directed activities. Object contacts were directed toward a greater variety of targets, and some objects were spontaneously used as tools. Manipulation of provided objects and use of objects as tools have become routine activities in this group of monkeys. We conclude that providing straw and portable objects in an already well equipped cage is an effective means of long-term behavioral enrichment for captive capuchin monkeys. Enabling captive capuchins to express species-typical manipulative tendencies is apparently conducive to the monkeys' optimal physical and psychological well-being as well as interesting to the human observer.

Effects of manipulatable objects on the activity of captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella)

Enrichment and aggression in primates

Background Many captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) show a variety of serious behavioural abnormalities, some of which have been considered as possible signs of compromised mental health. The provision of environmental enrichments aimed at reducing the performance of abnormal behaviours is increasing the norm, with the housing of individuals in (semi-)natural social groups thought to be the most successful of these. Only a few quantitative studies of abnormal behaviour have been conducted, however, particularly for the captive population held in zoological collections. Consequently, a clear picture of the level of abnormal behaviour in zoo-living chimpanzees is lacking. Methods We present preliminary findings from a detailed observational study of the behaviour of 40 socially-housed zoo-living chimpanzees from six collections in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. We determined the prevalence, diversity, frequency, and duration of abnormal behaviour from 1200 hours of continuous behavioural data collected by focal animal sampling. Results, Conclusion and Significance Our overall finding was that abnormal behaviour was present in all sampled individuals across six independent groups of zoo-living chimpanzees, despite the differences between these groups in size, composition, housing, etc. We found substantial variation between individuals in the frequency and duration of abnormal behaviour, but all individuals engaged in at least some abnormal behaviour and variation across individuals could not be explained by sex, age, rearing history or background (defined as prior housing conditions). Our data support a conclusion that, while most behaviour of zoo-living chimpanzees is ‘normal’ in that it is typical of their wild counterparts, abnormal behaviour is endemic in this population despite enrichment efforts. We suggest there is an urgent need to understand how the chimpanzee mind copes with captivity, an issue with both scientific and welfare implications.

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How Abnormal Is the Behaviour of Captive, Zoo-Living Chimpanzees?

A small group of chimpanzees was studied before and after their translocation from a laboratory environment to a naturalistic man-made island. After 22 weeks of island living, stereotyped and self-directed behavior was dramatically reduced. Social behavior did not improve on the island, but the animals were more active and manipulative in the enriched setting. Naturalistic environments are clearly conducive to normal behavior patterns.

Charles J. Juno

Papers

Behavioral effects of a change in the physical environment: A pilot study of captive chimpanzees