Environmental influences on stereotypy and the activity budget of Indian leopards (Panthera pardus) in four zoos in Southern India

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2002
Authors:
 Avanti Mallapur, Ravi Chellam
Publication/Journal:
 Zoo Biology
Publisher:
 A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services
Keywords:
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ISBN:
 1098-2361
Abstract:

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10063.abs To eliminate abnormal behaviors in leopards (Panthera pardus), such as stereotypic pacing, by utilizing environmental enrichment techniques, a proper understanding of their behavior in captive environments is required. Hence there is a need for animal welfare studies in Indian zoos. The activity budgets of 16 leopards were recorded across four southern Indian zoos: Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, and the Guindy Children’s Park. Of the 16 study animals, 14 were studied on-exhibit on zoo holidays as well as on days with visitors present, and all 16 individuals were studied off-exhibit on other days with visitors present. The 11 behaviors recorded were categorized into active, resting, and stereotypic behaviors. Leopards exhibited higher levels of activity in the on-exhibit enclosures on days with no visitors. Feeding time influenced the behavioral repertoire of all 14 leopards studied on-exhibit. Lower proportions of resting were exhibited during the hours before feeding. The proportion of active behaviors differed significantly across zoos. Stereotypic pacing levels were not influenced by the presence of visitors or by feeding time, but was significantly influenced by enclosure features. Higher levels of stereotypic pacing were exhibited in off-exhibit than on-exhibit enclosures. Our study shows that the behavior of captive leopards is influenced by enclosure type, feeding regime, and the presence of visitors. Zoo Biol 21:585–595, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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