Behavioural response of zoo-housed Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) to changes in exhibit and social group
Moving animals to a new exhibit within a zoo is generally done with that animal’s well-being in mind. However, there are many factors that need to be considered when evaluating changes in well-being associated with environmental changes, such as the amount of time needed to habituate to the novel environment, and, for social animals, the […]
Aggressive and Affiliative Behavior in Green Monkeys With Differing Housing Complexity
Eleven green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were combined into three social groups (two heterosexual, one all-male) in enclosures with similar volume but different levels of environmental complexity (two or four compartments). Agonistic and affiliative interactions were recorded over a 21-week period. The two heterosexual groups had their environmental complexity reduced (number of compartments reduced by one-half […]
Further Developments in the Breeding Population of Lowland Gorillas at Apenheul
In 1987 a second group of lowland gorillas was formed at Apenheul. Aspects of the zoo-technical management (diet, accommodation, etc.) are described. The management and the development of the population, including mother-rearing of all offspring, are described. Special attention is given to the formation of a second group by introducing two zoo-born females and a […]
Successful formation of a large chimpanzee group out of two preexisting subgroups
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10003.abs Descriptions of the formation of relatively large groups of unfamiliar chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in captivity are scarce in the literature. Nineteen chimpanzees from preexisting subgroups were introduced into a social group at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. The group included two adult males, six adult females along with six dependent infants, and […]
Reactions of adult and immature squirrel monkeys to intergroup exposure
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:63.3.CO;2-F Initial encounters between unfamiliar animals raise the practical problem of controlling aggression and provide the opportunity to examine changes in social structure that may occur as groups merge. Social interactions and spatial grouping patterns were examined in newly formed squirrel monkey groups, in which a subgroup of familiar adults was introduced to a […]
Evaluation of introduction procedures in captive chimpanzees
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1997)16:43.3.CO;2-4 Chimpanzee introductions can be stressful and even dangerous for the individuals involved, and different facilities use different approaches to group formation. However, little empirical evidence has been available to evaluate the different factors related to successful or unsuccessful chimpanzee introductions. This study evaluated a variety of factors, such as age, sex, previous experience, […]
Wounding aggression during the formation and maintenance of captive, multimale chimpanzee groups
Although the multimale community is the natural social organization of chimpanzees, both wild and captive adult males have killed other adult males and infants in intercommunity conflicts and intragroup aggression. Despite the potential for serious aggression, the formation of captive, multimale social groups is desirable for the efficient, long-term, humane housing of chimpanzees in socially […]
Group Formation and Behavioural Changes with Release to Free-Ranging in Red Ruffed Lemurs, Varecia Variegata Rubra
The social behaviour, ranging, and stereotypic behaviours of four red ruffed lemurs (one female, three males) was observed during group formation and release into a 2.25ha natural habitat enclosure at the Duke University Primate Center (DUPC). The female was immediately dominant to all males and there was no female-male affiliation during the initial stages of […]
Comparison of two introduction methods for african elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Managers must consider an animal’s potential for aggression when they decide to change or form a captive social group formation. In this study we compared two introduction methods (termed ‘‘sequential’’ and ‘‘nonsequential’’ introduc-tions) in African elephants to assess their effectiveness in managing aggression and minimizing stress. Both introduction methods included four phases: baseline, visual contact, […]
Changes in the dominance hierarchy of captive female Japanese macaques as a consequence of merging two previously established groups
Dominance hierarchies play an important role in reducing competition and aggression in social animals. In zoos, changes in group composition are often required due to management protocols, but these changes may have long lasting effects on dominance hierarchies, and, consequently, the wellbeing of the animals. We studied the changes in the female dominance hierarchy that […]