Thermoregulation in African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Four young adult elephant bulls aged 21-23 in the Letsatsing Game Reserve, a private reserve near Pilanesbury NP in South Africa, were the subjects of this study focused on body temperature. The elephant were trained to carry people were engaged in short term daily programmes for tourist or public education groups and normally spend the […]
Wild Tigers in Captivity: A Study of the Effects of the Captive Environment on Tiger Behavior
Humans maintain wild animals in zoological parks for the purposes of education, conservation, research, and recreation. However, abnormal behaviors may develop in animals housed in human-made environments, if those environments do not allow them to carry out their natural behaviors (such as swimming, climbing, stalking, and predation). Captive environments in zoological parks often do not […]
Flat-tailed horned lizards (Phrynosoma mcallii): Population size estimation, effects of off-highway vehicles, and natural history
Considerable conservation concern and controversy has developed over the status and management of the flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), a rare, difficult-to-detect species with a limited distribution. Monitoring the abundance of this species, as well as investigating factors that may be affecting demographic parameters, has proven problematic. A current conservation concern is the increasing use […]
Serum testosterone in captive male rhinoceros: Effects of season, age, stress, and sociosexual environment
All rhinoceros species are in some degree of endangerment. Understanding the reproductive physiology of rhinoceros species will help in management decisions with both free-ranging and captive populations. In mammalian species studied, testosterone plays a key role in spermatogenesis and libido. Testosterone concentrations, depending on the species, may vary according to age, season, social status, stress […]
Effects of Dietary Physical Form and Carbohydrate Profile on Captive Giraffe
The effects of altering physical form and carbohydrate profile of giraffe diets were evaluated using six non-lactating adult female giraffe in a modified reversal study. Dietary treatments consisted of a supplement ration composed of commonly fed commercial concentrates (GF) and an experimental supplement (EF) containing greater concentrations of sugars and soluble fiber and lesser concentrations […]
The Effect of Zoo Visitors on the Behaviour and Welfare of Zoo Mammals
There is evidence that the presence of the visiting public affects the behaviour of zoo-housed mammals. Understanding the effect of visitors is important in improving animal welfare, achieving zoo conservation goals, increasing visitor education/entertainment, and facilitating interpretation of data on zoo animal biology. A series of studies and experiments focusing on the effect of zoo […]
The Effects of Housing and Enrichment on Zoo Elephant Behavior
Zoos today are concerned with providing for the physical and psychological welfare of captive animals. One of the greatest challenges for zoo managers is ensuring the good welfare of zoo elephants. Yet only a few scientific studies have comprehensively focused on activity and behavioral health of captive elephants or examined elephant behavior over a 24-hour […]
The Galapagos penguin a study of adaptations for a life in an unpredictable environment
Thesis (Ph. D.)–Ohio State University, 1974. Includes bibliographical references.
Issues of captivity and conservation surrounding pantherine cats with a focus on the lion (Panthera leo) and the tiger (Panthera tigris)
Thousands of lions and tigers live in captivity in the United States, residing in zoos, private exhibits, sanctuaries, research facilities, and family homes. As a result of limited federal and state management of the captive exotic cats, the total combined population of lions and tigers in the United States is unknown but estimated to be […]