What behavior is important behavior? A systematic review of how wild and zoo-housed animals differ in their time-activity budgets

Frontiers in Ethology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: Jan. 29, 2025

Natural behavior performance in captive animals is traditionally utilized as a metric to establish welfare states, with an increase natural associated positive welfare. Captive environments, including zoos strive replicate ecologically relevant environments that promote species-specific, adaptive performance. However, spatial restrictions and complex habitats required by some species create various challenges for zoo staff implement management husbandry practices achieve this. Some struggle adapt cope increased abnormal which may reduce Other captivity novel ways, demonstrating flexibility their patterns without compromising research indicating behavioral sparse. The main aim of this review was categorize being fully behaviorally flexible, partially or inflexible. Effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated compare categories the wild zoo, grouped taxonomic Order (Testudines, Primates, Artiodactyla, Psittaciformes Carnivora) ecological traits determine level flexibility. also analyzed behaviors suggestive good absent species. Despite variation across all groups, consistently highest animals, reproductive foraging most often compromised. Overall, complete suggested Testudines (potentially result from temperature maintain homeostasis), completely migratory who are exposed heterogenous landscapes when traveling long distances, specific primate, ring-tailed lemur ( Lemur catta ) potentially improve resource access due terrestrial nature. All other groups evaluated demonstrated partial inflexibility. Abnormal prevalence reduced these suggests inability captivity. This necessitates more focused investigations identify environmental features aspects managed can meet species’ needs zoo.

Language: Английский

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Leveraging camera traps and artificial intelligence to explore thermoregulation behaviour

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 93(9), P. 1246 - 1261

Published: July 22, 2024

Abstract Behavioural thermoregulation has critical ecological and physiological consequences that profoundly influence individual fitness species distributions, particularly in the context of climate change. However, field monitoring this behaviour remains labour‐intensive time‐consuming. With rise camera‐based surveys artificial intelligence (AI) approaches computer vision, we should try to build better tools for characterizing animals' behavioural thermoregulation. In study, developed a deep learning framework automate detection classification behaviour. We used lizards, Rough‐tail rock agama ( Laudakia vulgaris ), as model animal colour‐marked lizards curated diverse dataset images captured by trail cameras under semi‐natural conditions. Subsequently, trained an object‐detection identify image models determine their microclimate usage (activity sun or shade), which may indicate preferences. then evaluated performance each analysed how thermoregulating performed different solar conditions (sun times day marking colours. Our framework's achieved high scores several metrics. The significantly on sun‐basking achieving highest accuracy with white‐marked lizards. Moreover, hours activity choices vs shade‐seeking behaviour) generated our framework, are closely aligned manually annotated data. study underscores potential AI effectively tracking thermoregulation, offering promising new direction camera trap studies. This approach can potentially reduce labour time associated data collection analysis help gain deeper understanding species' thermal preferences risks change

Language: Английский

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Considering What Animals “Need to Do” in Enclosure Design: Questions on Bird Flight and Aviaries

Birds, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(3), P. 586 - 603

Published: Sept. 12, 2024

Zoo enclosure design, and housing husbandry protocols, will always be a compromise between what species has evolved to do is possible offer in human-created environment. For some species, behaviours that are commonly performed the wild may constrained by practices used for ease or aesthetics accepted conventions. As zoos place more emphasis on positive animal welfare states, zoo enclosures should scrutinised check provided, terms of useful space, appropriate replication habitat features, maximal potential natural behaviour performance, relevant individuals being housed. need grapple with tough questions where answer not seem immediately obvious ensure they continuously improving standards care, opportunities performance species-typical behaviours, advancing attainment states. Determining importance flight, example, this adds quality life zoo-housed bird, an important question needs addressing truly advance aviculture how we determine bird welfare. This paper provides answered poses measures flight means provide evidence development evolution housing. If can devise way asking animals our care need, firmly support decisions made surround decisions. Ultimately, gathering whether birds like fly (e.g., from training demonstration activities) applying mixed methods approaches behavioural analysis, data ecology, qualitative assessment, cognitive bias testing develop robust suite tools address avian considerations. Avian scientists attempt define meaningful (i.e., suggests flying) order guidelines aviary dimensions, space allowance, outputs both flighted flight-restricted populations, most individual species. Changing term “best practice” “better would instil regular review reassessment management suitability such regimes remain appropriate. With increasingly welfare-savvy public visiting zoos, it essential seek justify kept ultimately use enact changes shown infringe

Language: Английский

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Do animal personality components independently evolve and develop in response to environmental complexity?

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 221, P. 123077 - 123077

Published: Jan. 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Effect of Feeding Environmental Enrichment on Lesser Anteaters’ Behavior, Space Use and Food Selectivity

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 14

Published: Feb. 2, 2025

Studying behavioral response to management and housing conditions provides specific evidence enhance animal welfare. Feeding environmental enrichment (FEE) is a powerful strategy meet welfare challenges. Lesser anteaters' (Tamandua tetradactyla; n = 7) FEE was assessed by analyzing behavior space use through focal sampling every 5 minutes/24 hours using cameras. Study 1 (S1): of enclosure zones (shelter SZ, climbing structures CSZ ground GZ) characterized without during days the modified Spread Participation index (SPI). 2 (S2) used an ABA experimental design 18 (A=pre- post-enrichment B enrichment). The applied in CSZ, least utilized zone revealed S1. S1: lesser anteaters differently (modified SPI 0.74 ± 0.02), stayed mostly GZ. S2: An increment feeding detected, but it did not modify total activity, most natural behavior, repetitive locomotion or use. electivity indicated that routine diet over-utilized items were under-utilized. provision created new foraging opportunities, improving domain

Language: Английский

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Don't Stand So Close: Social Crowding Negatively Impacts Reproduction in an Endangered, Territorial Hawaiian Bird

Animal Conservation, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

ABSTRACT Conservation breeding programs (CBPs) can play a vital role in preventing extinction. Housing considerations are particularly important CBPs because suboptimal enclosures negate efforts to promote animal well‐being, survival, reproduction, and the retention of natural behaviors. Moreover, quality quantity also influence social environment experienced by animals, an determinant reproduction. Extinct wild, territorial ‘Alalā (Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis ) is subject intensive conservation at two purpose‐built facilities Hawai'i. To examine space this CBP, we evaluated reproductive outcomes for pairs held different‐sized (i.e., housed one vs. chambers within stand‐alone aviary building), corresponding differences context, including amount enclosure architecture available pair, which label “social crowding.” We tested hypothesis that crowding adversely impacts nest quality, clutches laid, egg fertilization, hatching success. found negatively impacted decreased probability clutch production, suggesting stress, derived from being arrangement does not align with nature ‘Alalā, may compromise behavior and/or physiology. did find statistical evidence affected fertilization or success, thus appear manifest during earlier stages. Broadly, our findings underscore importance design context avian raise concerns about reduced output due housing birds smaller denser arrangements. Furthermore, guide decisions strategic aviaries identify solutions mitigate consequences on

Language: Английский

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Diurnal activity budget of the kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) in captivity

Australian Mammalogy, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 47(1)

Published: Feb. 23, 2025

The kultarr (Antechinomys laniger) is a small carnivorous marsupial native to arid and semiarid regions of mainland Australia. This study assessed historical video data develop an activity budget for captive population. had very limited diurnal footage found that kultarrs spent the most time displaying movement, foraging stationary alert behaviours. has contributed our understanding behaviour in captivity; however, more research needed encompasses larger set fully understand activity.

Language: Английский

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Improving Zoo Exhibit Design: Why We Need Temporary Exhibit Design

Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 19 - 19

Published: March 13, 2025

Good enclosure design is central to the improvement of conditions for animals housed in zoos and aquaria, yet study a priori or post hoc through Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) somewhat limited scientific literature. The concept trialing novel exhibit components before construction, process known as Temporary Exhibit Design (TED), was recently proposed strategy prevent problems that often occur result untested creation, with view ultimately improve welfare outcomes reduce subsequent redevelopment. In this paper, we consider potential input required from three key stakeholders: animal, visitor, zoo staff. We also benefits each these stakeholders when participating TED, alongside wider organizational benefits. TED has construction costs post-construction redevelopment, enhance animal welfare, ensure educational messages are effectively communicated.

Language: Английский

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Future Aviary Design: The Science of Circular Flight Aviaries for Avian Welfare

Zoo Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 23, 2025

ABSTRACT Birds are kept in captive settings globally, and many of these birds not flight‐restrained. It is generally considered more ethical to house aviaries than practice flight restraint through wing clipping or pinioning, which means that needed prevent from escaping. Traditionally, rectangular commonly used; may be well designed for bird flight, especially large‐bodied species. In this paper, we draw attention the circular aviary, a design has potential encourage extended without need excessively large exhibit design. Several already used select zoos but there at present, limited empirical evidence on welfare benefits birds. We evaluate tools required assess effects aviary welfare, with focus aspects exercise physiology sometimes overlooked traditional assessments. The also overcome challenges associated breeding complex social structures, such as those benefit being housed flocks yet intolerant other individuals when nesting. Circular aviaries, if developed view generating an base, have improve time becoming restricted globally due disease implications.

Language: Английский

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Animal Models in Neuroscience: What Is the “Culture of Care”?

Encyclopedia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(1), P. 215 - 233

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

In situations where animal models (AMs) are necessary, as in the field of neuroscience, a strong culture care must be supported and established. The pivotal question remains: how can we uphold robust “culture care”? multifaceted domain neuroscience research, AMs traverse spectrum shaped by conflicting viewpoints, anthropocentrism pathocentrism, established scientific norms intersect with ethical deliberations. Anthropocentrism, representative conventional approaches, may prioritize goals potentially to detriment welfare. Conversely, pathocentrism places significant importance on treatment well-being AMs. This divergence approach prompts imperative development framework within research institutions, advocating for welfare, responsibility, adherence regulatory standards. this review, refer European view care, discussing internationally valid concepts that find rebuttal current legislation. review meticulously analyzes many facets particularly studies involving AMs, illustrating principles, practices, collaborations critical overcoming expectations. commitment increases credibility builds trust public spheres, underscoring ethics research.

Language: Английский

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