Behavioral Effects of Changing Group Membership Among Captive Lowland Gorillas
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1996 |
Authors: |
Michael P. Hoff, Kathryn T. Hoff, L. Charles Horton, Terry L. Maple |
Publication/Journal: |
Zoo Biology |
Keywords: |
aggressive displays, behavioral adaptation, behavioural adaptation, captivity, gorilla, social change |
Abstract:
Group membership was modified among 4 gorilla groups at Zoo Atlanta in an attempt to increase compatibility and sexual behavior. The modifications ultimately moved 7 adult females among the groups. The moves were made by individually introducing the new group members to the old members, resulting in 18 total introductions. Several individual and social behaviors differed in the two conditions. The most obvious change was a temporary increase in aggressive display behaviors, as well as an increase in contact and social examination, in the postmovement condition. Additionally, the individual behaviors of travelling and eating increased after the introductions, while resting decreased. Other self-maintenance behaviors did not change. Finally, there was an increase in time mothers and offspring spent closer to one another following the moves. Previous research and anecdotal evidence suggest that gorillas respond to changes in group membership with aggression; these data support and extend those data to different age/sex groups, postmovement trends in behavior, and other aspects of gorilla behavior.