The influence of sex, rearing history, and personality on abnormal behaviour in zoo-housed bonobos (Pan paniscus)
Abnormal behaviours are often used as a welfare indicator in zoo-housed great apes. While previous studies report on the occurrence of abnormal behaviours in zoo-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), there is currently a lack of knowledge about such behaviours in the closely related bonobo (Pan paniscus). Here we report on the prevalence, diversity and frequency of […]
Discovering the Relationship between Dietary Nutrients on Cortisol and Ghrelin Hormones in Horses Exhibiting Oral Stereotypic behaviour: A Review
This review focuses on associations of cortisol and the hormone ghrelin on abnormal oral behaviours, predominantly stereotypic behaviour, in horses. Abnormal oral behaviours are prevalent in the stabled horse population. Feeding practice and satiety seem to play a significant role in the development of the behaviours. The effect of macronutrients on the occurrence of abnormal […]
An investigation into keeper opinions of great ape diets and abnormal behaviour
Zoos are evidencing a shift in great ape diets to cultivated fruit-free to achieve a more wild-type nutritional composition (lower sugar, higher fibre). This study aimed to ascertain great ape keeper knowledge and opinions on the removal of cultivated fruit from great ape diets, to investigate feeding regimes currently in use and to understand the […]
Issues of choice and control in the behaviour of a pair of captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Stereotyped behaviour occurs in a wide variety of captive animals including ursids. The provision of animal control over aspects of their environment by providing choices is a critical element for improving welfare. The behaviour of two sibling polar bears at a metropolitan zoo was examined to investigate the effect of providing access to their indoor, […]
Activity budgets and the relationship between feeding and stereotypic behaviors in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in a Zoo
Activity budgets were studied in eight Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) at Chester Zoo (UK) for 35 days, between January and November 1999. Recordings were made between 10:00 and 16:00 hr (with most behavior frequencies calculated between 10:00 and 14:00 hr). The elephants exhibited variation in activity depending on their age, sex, the time of day […]
Positive reinforcement training moderates only high levels of abnormal behavior in singly housed rhesus macaques
This study evaluated the application of positive reinforcement training (PRT) as an intervention for abnormal behaviors in singly housed laboratory rhesus macaques at 2 large primate facilities. Training involved basic control behaviors and body-part presentation. The study compared baseline behavioral data on 30 adult males and 33 adult females compared with 3 treatment phases presented […]
Behavioral Abnormalities in Captive Nonhuman Primates
In this study, we dealt with 11 species of nonhuman primates across 10 zoos in India. We recorded behavior as instantaneous scans between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the study, we segregated behaviors for analyses into abnormal, undesirable, active, and resting. The 4 types of abnormal behavior exhibited included floating limb, self-biting, self-clasping, and […]
Enrichment and aggression in primates
There is considerable evidence that primates housed under impoverished conditions develop behavioural abnormalities, including, in the most extreme example, self-harming behaviour. This has implications for all contexts in which primates are maintained in captivity from laboratories to zoos since by compromising the animals’ psychological well-being and allowing them to develop behavioural abnormalities their value as […]
Stereotypies and Other Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors: Potential Impact on Validity, Reliability, and Replicability of Scientific Outcomes
Normal behavior plays a key role in facilitating homeostasis, especially by allowing the animal to control and modify its environment. Captive environments may interfere with these behavioral responses, and the resulting stress may alter many physiological parameters. Abnormal behaviors indicate that an animal is unable to adjust behaviorally to the captive environment and, hence, may […]
Why and how should we use environmental enrichment to tackle stereotypic behaviour?☆
This paper summarises recent findings on the causation of stereotypic behaviours and other abnormal repetitive behaviours (ARBs) in captive animals: primarily motivational frustration and/or brain dysfunction, with possible contributory roles also being played by habit formation and ‘coping’ effects. We then review the extent to which ARBs occur in zoos and similar, estimating that at […]