Enhancing welfare in a mixed exhibit: The impact of dispersed whole food on activity levels and feeding behaviours of Mexican military macaws and red-billed curassows
Presenting chopped food in a bowl is a traditional feeding technique in zoos worldwide. However, it may not provide sufficient stimulation for many species to satisfy their behavioural needs. Recent studies suggest that dispersing food within enclosures may be a better alternative, especially in mixed exhibits where food competition is a concern. In this study, […]
Strategy for enriching the environment of captive Ursids
Ursids in the wild spend considerable time and energy in finding and processing food, and defending their territories as compared to captive animals. It has become necessary to provide alternative methods of stimulating natural behaviour to meet both the mental and physical well-being of the captive animals. The present strategy for enriching the environment for […]
Egyptian tortoise conservation: A community-based, field research program developed from a study on a captive population
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20157.abs Local community participation and ex situ conservation has the potential to assist the recovery of the endangered Egyptian tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni. We initiated an in situ community-based conservation and research program from a captive population of T. kleinmanni. We used a captive population of the Egyptian tortoise to train a member of the […]
Inter-annual patterns of aggression and pair bonding in captive American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber)
Because zoos typically house animals for extended periods of time, longitudinal studies can play an important role in evaluating and optimizing animal care and management. For example, information on patterns of aggression and mating behavior across years can be used to monitor well-being, assess response to changes to group composition, and promote successful reproduction. Here, […]
Is interactive technology a relevant and effective enrichment for captive great apes?
All non-human great apes are endangered, and for these animals, captive individuals play an important role in the species’ conservation management plan. Therefore, information about their current enrichment activities is essential for maintaining a healthy captive population. This paper reviews research where digital media is used as cognitive enrichment for great apes with a particular […]