Novel Scent Enrichment Enhances Socio‐Sexual and Olfactory Behaviors in Zoo‐Housed Gentle Lemurs DOI Creative Commons
Sara Fontani,

Gale Glendewar,

Robert K. Cowen

et al.

American Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 87(1)

Published: Dec. 18, 2024

The Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapalemur Alaotrensis) is one of the most endangered primates in world and shows a low success rate captive breeding programmes. We tested novel scent enrichment, made up synthesized mixture likely conveying information about female fertility, on four unsuccessful pairs (n = 8 subjects) living at Jersey, Birmingham, London (United Kingdom) Mulhouse (France) zoos. evaluated effects enrichment behavior (515 h observation) fecal endocrinology (cortisol testosterone measurements) 180 samples) comparing pre- post- phases. found small effect by sex olfactory behaviors related to enrichment. also that both male sexual significantly increased during Conversely, we did not find any significant change cortisol levels, whilst some zoo environment. Our results show little effectiveness as hormone levels lemurs continued fail reproduce following Nevertheless, our findings highlight biologically relevant may trigger natural species-specific behaviors, with potential implications for enhancing behavioral health management zoo-based species.

Language: Английский

Novel Scent Enrichment Enhances Socio‐Sexual and Olfactory Behaviors in Zoo‐Housed Gentle Lemurs DOI Creative Commons
Sara Fontani,

Gale Glendewar,

Robert K. Cowen

et al.

American Journal of Primatology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 87(1)

Published: Dec. 18, 2024

The Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapalemur Alaotrensis) is one of the most endangered primates in world and shows a low success rate captive breeding programmes. We tested novel scent enrichment, made up synthesized mixture likely conveying information about female fertility, on four unsuccessful pairs (n = 8 subjects) living at Jersey, Birmingham, London (United Kingdom) Mulhouse (France) zoos. evaluated effects enrichment behavior (515 h observation) fecal endocrinology (cortisol testosterone measurements) 180 samples) comparing pre- post- phases. found small effect by sex olfactory behaviors related to enrichment. also that both male sexual significantly increased during Conversely, we did not find any significant change cortisol levels, whilst some zoo environment. Our results show little effectiveness as hormone levels lemurs continued fail reproduce following Nevertheless, our findings highlight biologically relevant may trigger natural species-specific behaviors, with potential implications for enhancing behavioral health management zoo-based species.

Language: Английский

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