Zoo animals are often subjected to stressful and unnatural conditions that can affect their health and behavior.
However, a recent study suggests that zoo-housed carnivores, such as African wild dogs and giraffes, can benefit from novel improvements to their enclosures that enhance their environmental complexity and choice.
The Study: Enclosure Use and Behavioural Welfare
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The study, published in the Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, examined the enclosure use and behavioral welfare of three zoo-housed African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, USA.
The wild dogs were observed for several weeks, during which one of the dogs was periodically removed from the group.
The researchers measured the variability and preference of the wild dogs' enclosure use, as well as their activity levels and social interactions.
The results showed that the removal of one of the dogs from the on-exhibit portion of the enclosure significantly modified the enclosure use and behavior of the remaining two dogs.
The two dogs tended to use more areas of the enclosure and showed more variability in their area use, indicating a higher level of environmental enrichment and exploration.
They also exhibited more active and social behaviors, such as running, playing, and grooming, suggesting a positive effect on their emotional state and well-being.
The study also compared the enclosure use and behavior of the wild dogs with those of a group of zoo-housed Rothschild giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) at the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park in Devon, UK.
The giraffes were observed in both indoor and outdoor enclosures, and their enclosure use and behavior were analyzed using similar methods as the wild dogs.
The findings revealed that the giraffes also displayed spatial selectivity and preference in their enclosure use, with some areas being used significantly more than others.
The giraffes' enclosure use was influenced by the availability and distribution of resources, such as food, water, and shade.
They also showed differences in their activity levels and behavior depending on the enclosure type, with more resting and ruminating in the indoor enclosure, and more feeding and locomotion in the outdoor enclosure.
The Implications: Enclosure Design and Animal Welfare
The study demonstrates that enclosure use can be a useful measure of behavioral welfare in zoo-housed carnivores, as it reflects their environmental complexity and choice.
The study also suggests that enclosure design can have a profound influence on the behavioral activity budget and well-being of zoo animals, as it affects their access to resources and opportunities for natural behaviors.
The researchers recommend that zoo enclosures should be designed and managed to provide more environmental enrichment and variability for the animals, as well as more feeding enrichment and social stimulation.
Moreover, zoo enclosures should be monitored and evaluated regularly to assess the effects of changes and improvements on the animals' welfare.
The study contributes to the growing body of research on zoo animal welfare and highlights the importance of understanding and improving the living conditions of zoo-housed carnivores.
By providing more suitable and stimulating enclosures, zoos can enhance the quality of life and well-being of their animals, as well as their conservation and education value.
