Mourning-Like Behaviour in a Malayan Sun Bear
The behavioural response of animals to death, also called mourning-like behaviours, is an area of science which is underrepresented in the literature. Grief is the internalized psychological processing of a loss, whilst mourning is the external expression. In a survey by McGrath et al. (Anim Welf 22, 2013), “90% of the general public surveyed believed […]
Thermoregulation in Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) and its consequences for in situ conservation
Thermoregulation in Malayan sun bears is not fully understood. Therefore, in this study the effect of meteorological variables on both behavioural and autonomic thermoregulatory mechanisms in sun bears was examined in order to identify temperature thresholds for the activation of various thermoregulatory mechanisms. Infrared thermography was used to non‒invasively determine body surface temperature (TS) distribution […]
Stereotypy and perseverative responding in caged bears: further data and analyses
Stereotypies are common in captive animals; yet, their underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. One hypothesis [Garner, J.P., 1999. The aetiology of stereotypy in caged animals. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Oxford, UK] proposes them to be symptoms of altered behavioural organisation (behavioural disinhibition) mediated by striatal dysfunction, and thus, fundamentally analogous to the repetitive behaviours associated […]
Helarctos malayanus
species monograph
Social and environmental influences on pacing in a female Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus)
Pacing behaviour is complex and identifying the motivational basis for pacing and designing an effective remedial strategy can be challenging. Details of the behaviour may provide insight into the motivational basis of behaviour and should be carefully examined. A long-term observational study of pacing by a female Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) was conducted to […]