Social attachment in giraffe: response to social separation
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2000 |
Authors: |
L.R. Tarou, M.J. Bradshaw, T.L. Maple |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Keywords: |
behavioral management, behavioral measurements of stress, psychological well-being, social separation, stereotypies |
ISBN: |
1098-2361 |
Abstract:
Attachment relationships between animals are often studied by separating a pair of individuals and recording their subsequent behavior. Studies of non-human primates have shown that separation results in changes that are indicative of both psychological and physiological stress. Similar results have been found in several non-primate species with differing social structures. This study exam-ined the behavior of two female giraffe at Zoo Atlanta after the removal of the resident male. Data were collected on the giraffe before and after separation, using an instantaneous scan sampling technique to record levels of activity, so-cial behaviors, solitary behaviors, proximity, and habitat utilization. After the removal of the resident male, both giraffe exhibited increased levels of activity, stereotypical behavior, contact behavior (particularly neck-rubbing), and decreased habitat utilization. These results are similar to those found in earlier primate separation studies, supporting the hypothesis that complex social structure is not necessary for the formation of social attachments. Because social separation is often accompanied by behavioral and physiological indications of stress, an un derstanding of the variables involved in a species’ response to separation is vital to the promotion of the psychological and physical well-being of captive ani-mals.