Personality and behavioral changes in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) following the death of herd members
Elephants are highly social beings with complex individual personalities. We know that elephants have a general interest in death, investigating carcasses, not just limited to kin; however, research does not explore in depth whether individuals change their behavior or personality following traumatic events, such as the death of a conspecific. Within a captive herd of […]
Managing the Socialization of an Adult Male Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) With a History of Social Deprivation
Most non-human primates exhibit aggression during changes in social group composition. In zoological parks, group membership changes are necessary for optimal population management, but can elicit problematic aggression. Furthermore, some primates with a long history of social deprivation are hyperaggressive when introduced to conspecifics. In this study of one male gorilla with a 30-year history […]
Effects of hand-rearing on the reproductive success of western lowland gorillas in North America
This study sought to assess the potential effects of hand-rearing by evaluating the relationships among rearing type and reproductive success in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s Species Survival Plan® for western lowland gorillas. Our study included data on 697 gorillas: 257 wild-born (WB) and 440 born at zoos or related facilities in North America. […]
Early social influence on nestling development in Waldrapp ibis (Geronticus eremita)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10050.abs The Waldrapp ibis is critically endangered; hence specific knowledge is needed to support the management of the last birds in the wild, and to prepare for reintroduction projects. In this study we attempted to test the effects of raising an ibis as a single chick from hatching to the age of 3 weeks, […]
Use of positive reinforcement training in the management of species for reproduction
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130509.abs Positive reinforcement training holds great potential for enhancing the management of species for reproduction. This paper reviews a wide range of animal training activities and resultant benefits which could have application to captive reproduction programs. Recognized benefits fall into several categories. Basic animal care can be improved through voluntary cooperation by the animals […]
Early handling increases lamb affinity for humans
Domestic animals that are socialized to humans are often more easily managed and less timid than those that are not. We examined whether increased handling and artificial feeding of domestic sheep, Ovis aries, at an early age would decrease their subsequent timidity towards people. Forty-eight lamb twin sets were divided into four treatment groups for […]
Socialization and Stress in Cats (felis Silvestris Catus) Housed Singly and in Groups in Animal Shelters
Single- and group-housing conditions for cats in animal shelters represent spatially and socially very different housing types. This study investigated whether the socialization of the cat towards conspecifics and people influences adaptation to these two housing types. Socialization towards conspecifics and people was determined in 169 rescued cats by means of two behavioural tests and […]
Differences Between Vocalization Evoked by Social Stimuli in Feral Cats and House Cats
To investigate how socialization can affect the types and characteristics of vocalization produced by cats, feral cats (n=25) and house cats (n=13) were used as subjects, allowing a comparison between cats socialized to people and non-socialized cats. To record vocalization and assess the cats’ responses to behavioural stimuli, five test situations were used: approach by […]
Wolf socialization- A study of temperament in a wild social species
A detailed analysis was made of the process by which the wolf comes from a state of unfamiliarity and fear of humans to a state of familiarity and friendliness. The nature of the process was found to depend on the age of the animal as well as the technique employed by the experimenter. Although young […]
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, […]