Evaluating the Behavior and Temperament of African Penguins in a Non-Contact Animal Encounter Program

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2019
Authors:
 Sana T. Saiyed, Lydia M. Hopper, Katherine A. Cronin
Publication/Journal:
 Animals
Keywords:
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ISBN:
 2076-2615
Abstract:

Animal ambassador programs are increasingly prevalent in zoos, yet few studies have
investigated their impact on animal welfare. We assessed the effects of an ambassador program on
the behavior of a colony (N = 15) of zoo-housed African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and evaluated
whether individual characteristics were predictive of participation. Behavioral data were collected
for 16 weeks and included 43 “penguin encounters”, during which zoo visitors entered a designated
portion of the penguins’ enclosure. When comparing colony behavior following encounters to
behavior during a matched control period lacking an encounter, we found no significant difference
between affiliative or aggressive behaviors, suggesting that the encounters did not disrupt interactions
in the colony. The same was true when comparing behavior preceding the encounter to a matched
control period, indicating that any anticipatory period was similarly non-disruptive. Space use
during encounters suggested comfort near visitors. We also measured penguin temperament on
the shy-bold continuum by recording the birds’ response to novel objects and found that penguins’
temperament, sex, and age were predictive of participation. We concluded that this program had a
neutral or positive impact on penguin welfare and considered the findings in relation to aspects of
the ambassador program that provided penguins with control over their involvement.

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