Analysis of factors that affect maternal behaviour and breeding success in great apes in captivity

Abelló, M. T.; Colell, Montserrat

doi:10.1111/j.1748-1090.2006.00323.x

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 44 publications

(67 reference statements)

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“…High infant mortality rates have been reported in zoo orangutan populations, possibly as a result of rearing by humans. Abello and Colell (2006) reported that zoo orangutans reared by humans had more offspring dying \1 year after birth than those reared by their biological mothers. Cocks (2007) also reported that in zoos, female orangutans reared by humans rejected their infants at higher rates than biological mother-reared females.…”

Section: Factors Influencing Higher Infant Mortality Ratementioning

confidence: 98%

Factors affecting reproduction in rehabilitant female orangutans: young age at first birth and short inter-birth interval

et al. 2011

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This study investigated the reproductive parameters of free-ranging rehabilitant female orangutans. We aimed to assess the factors that influence these parameters and provide information that could assist with the management of orangutan reintroduction programs. We analyzed the birth records of free-ranging female rehabilitants at Bukit Lawang, Bukit Tigapuluh, Sepilok, Camp Leakey, Kaja Island, Sungai Wain, and Meratus and compared them with reproductive parameters reported in wild and zoo populations. Females' ages at first birth were 10.6-14.7 years, significantly earlier than those of wild and zoo orangutans. Computed inter-birth intervals (IBIs) calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method were 65.1-90.1 months; the values for Camp Leakey and Bukit Lawang rehabilitants were significantly shorter than those reported for wild Sumatran orangutans. Infant mortality rates were 18-61%; the values for Bukit Lawang and Sepilok were significantly higher than those reported for wild Sumatran and zoo orangutans. In rehabilitants, young ages at first birth and shorter IBIs may result from the high energy intake enabled by provisioning, although the possibility exists that they reflect underestimations of age on arrival at rehabilitation centers. The observed high infant mortality rate may reflect poor mothering skills due to human rearing and/or increased disease transmission. This study demonstrates that accelerated reproductive rates (younger age at first birth and shorter IBI) are common in provisioned rehabilitant females on both Sumatra and Borneo.

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Section: Factors Influencing Higher Infant Mortality Ratementioning

confidence: 98%

Factors affecting reproduction in rehabilitant female orangutans: young age at first birth and short inter-birth interval

et al. 2011

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“…However, the opportunity to observe breeding during development appeared to be the most significant condition, favouring breeding in hand‐reared ♀♀ reaching adulthood. As already statistically demonstrated in a previous study related to maternal behaviour, the opportunity to observe social behaviours within conspecifics could increase the likelihood that Gorillas will demonstrate a good repertoire of natural social behaviours as adults (Abelló & Colell, 2005). The breeding probability is three times more likely for hand‐reared ♀♀ that observe breeding behaviour than for those that did not, reinforcing the results reported by Meder (1989).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Could sexually experienced Gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla help hand-reared Gorillas to breed successfully?

Abelló

Blasco²,

Colell³

2011

International Zoo Yearbook

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To maintain a self‐sustaining European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) population of Gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla, it is necessary that as many individuals as possible contribute their genes to the population. It is believed that hand‐rearing may prevent the development of a good repertoire of natural social behaviours that would facilitate successful breeding when individuals reach sexual maturity. Between 1980 and 2004, 464 Gorilla births resulted in 117 individuals [63.54 (♂.♀)] being hand‐reared. In this review, we analyse information gathered from a questionnaire survey, augmented with data from the international studbook and other publications, to identify the conditions that contribute to breeding success. Hand‐reared ♀♀ should initially be introduced into socially competent groups that breed (so they can observe breeding by conspecifics) and, in addition, be introduced to an experienced breeding ♂. Similarly, hand‐reared ♂♂ should initially be placed in socially competent groups and, in addition, should be introduced to mother‐reared adult ♀♀ that, where possible, have also had previous breeding experience. Although the receptor group and the personality of hand‐reared individuals need to be considered before making decisions about introduction to conspecifics, in order to increase the genetic contribution that hand‐reared Gorillas make to the EEP population, factors recorded in this article may provide guidance on how to improve captive breeding for the conservation of this species.

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“…The remaining 255 births were born to 111 mother‐reared ♀♀, 60 hand‐reared ♀♀ and 84 wild‐caught ♀♀, with 83 deaths reported. For further information, see Abelló & Colell (2006a,b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An analysis of breeding results for hand‐reared Gorillas Gorilla gorilla born over a 25 year period in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) population

Abelló

Holtkötter²,

Vermeer

et al. 2010

International Zoo Yearbook

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In December 2004, a questionnaire was sent to 44 institutions that maintained Gorillas Gorilla gorilla. Twenty‐six institutions replied (59% response rate) providing information about 91 hand‐reared Gorillas in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) population. Using other sources, such as the international studbook and EEP reports, data on 63.54 (♂.♀) Gorillas that had been hand reared between 1980 and 2004 were analysed. Over this period, 23 (43%) ♀♀ and 15 (24%) ♂♂ bred successfully. However, when the numbers used to make the analyses were corrected by removing Gorillas (1) that had not yet reached full sexual maturity (>12 years for ♂♂ and >10 years for ♀♀) and (2) were not maintained in breeding groups, and including three ♀♀ that bred before they were 10 years of age, the percentages for breeding success are 65% for ♂♂ and 61% for ♀♀. These results demonstrate that hand‐reared individuals contribute to the increase in the EEP Gorilla population observed over the past 25 years.

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Analysis of factors that affect maternal behaviour and breeding success in great apes in captivity

Cited by 20 publications

References 44 publications

Factors affecting reproduction in rehabilitant female orangutans: young age at first birth and short inter-birth interval

Factors affecting reproduction in rehabilitant female orangutans: young age at first birth and short inter-birth interval

Could sexually experienced Gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla help hand-reared Gorillas to breed successfully?

An analysis of breeding results for hand‐reared Gorillas Gorilla gorilla born over a 25 year period in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) population

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