The potential of Social Network Analysis as a tool for the management of zoo animals
Social Network Analysis (SNA) enables the fine scale of animal sociality and population structure to be quantified. SNA is widely applied to questions relating to behavioural ecology but has seen little use in the application to zoo animal management, despite its clear potential. Investment in social bonds between individuals positively affects health status, welfare state, […]
Little penguins, Eudyptula minor, show increased avoidance, aggression and vigilance in response to zoo visitors
Multiple studies have shown that human disturbance can have negative impacts on wild penguin populations. Penguins in zoos may also be susceptible to negative impacts from humans, but this has not previously been investigated. We examined the visitor effect on a group of 25 little penguins, Eudyptula minor, by randomly imposing two treatments: (1) no […]