Developing models for mother–infant behaviour in Black rhinoceros and Reticulated giraffe Diceros bicornis michaeli and Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata at Brookfield Zoo, Illinois
For over a decade the behaviours of mothers and newborn calves of Black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli and Reticulated giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata have been observed at Brookfield Zoo during the critical first few weeks post-partum. Consistent patterns were seen for individuals within species, allowing models of time budgets, including ranges of variability surrounding each […]
Maternal strategies in sable antelope, Hippotragus niger: Factors affecting variability in maternal retrieval of hiding calves
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:63.3.CO;2-3 Maternal behavior of wild ungulates has long been considered relatively invariant, yet recent reports from both wild and captive populations indicate considerable variability. Maternal behavioral tactics associated with the “hider” developmental strategy were investigated in six mother-infant pairs of sable antelope, Hippotragus niger, at the National Zoological Park’s Conservation and Research Center near […]
Mother-infant interactions in western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla): Spatial relationships, communication and opportunities for social learning
This study investigated mother infant interactions in lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with particular focus on the relative role of mothers and infants in creating situations that are potentially conducive to infant social learning. Eleven gorilla mother infant dyads were focally observed in weekly 1-hr sessions for 12 months. Spatial relationships were affected by age […]