Behavioral and physiological responses in felids to exhibit construction

Abstract

Despite the growing body of literature examining the welfare of zoo-housed animals, little standardized work has been published on the effect of construction and environmental disruption on the physiology and behavior of affected animals. When Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, IL), embarked on a renovation project for its Kovler Lion House, the opportunity was taken to perform a scientific study of behavioral and physiological markers in the resident felids to determine the effect of construction and environmental disruption. Fecal samples and behavioral observations were collected on four felid species (five individuals) before, during, and after the period of construction. As a group, the average z-score for fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentration increased during construction relative to baseline. Levels remained elevated after construction, but trended toward baseline. All individuals demonstrated a significant decrease in the frequency of pacing and time spent visible during construction. Overall activity levels also showed a significant decrease relative to baseline measures. As zoological institutions continue to recognize the importance of habitat design, construction and renovation become inevitable. It is important to be aware of the potential consequences this can have on animals in the vicinity and to work toward minimizing negative effects. One recommendation is the availability of ample retreat and hiding space for felids during disruption to their environment.

Prevalence and determinants of stereotypic behaviours and physiological stress among tigers and leopards in Indian zoos

“…[73] states that naturalistic enclosures result in a more naturalistic behaviour. [74] also recommend the availability of ample retreat and hiding space for felids. Hence, it is assumed that both large and enriched naturalistic enclosures are essential to prevent the onset of stereotypes among tigers in captivity.…”

Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical activity as a measure of stress in leopardsPanthera pardus

“…Sex-related quantitative differences in fGCM concentrations in response to a stressor are not uncommon (Ludwig et al 2013) as, irrespective of the principal glucocorticoid present in the blood, steroid hormones may be metabolised differently between sexes of the same species, resulting in sex-specific differences in metabolite composition within the faeces (Touma et al 2003, Touma et al 2004 (Creel et al 2013) and tiger (Bhattacharjee et al 2015). Of course, the differences in stress-related fGCM alterations found between the two animals, could also reflect the variation in individual coping ability within specific captive situations (Wielebnowski et al 2002;Ludwig et al 2013;Chosy et al 2014).…”

Effect of bungee‐carcass enrichment on behavior and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in two species of zoo‐housed felids

“…Changes in the percent of occurrence of the behaviors pace (P), walk (W), sit/stand (SS), out-of-sight (OS), self-grooming (SG), other (Ot), and lie down (LD) for the female tigers at the Niabi Zoo from pre-enrichment, first post-enrichment, and second postenrichment. The left column depicts the behaviors for tiger Female 1 and the right column depicts the behaviors of the tiger Female 2. effects of weather, nearby construction noise and/or maintenance as observed in a pair of servals (Leptailurus serval) [Chosy et al, 2014]. For the tigers, the pacing initially significantly increased, but decreased after the second treatment, although the sit/stand and lie down behaviors increased; these three changes are indicative of a neutral outcome.…”

“…For the cougars, a positive outcome from the enrichment was observed as pacing decreased while walking increased (a non‐stereotypy replaced a stereotypy) similar to the change observed in the leopard cat [Carlstead et al, ]. The reasons for both the cougars' changes in out‐of‐sight behavior is difficult to identify, but may have been due to effects of weather, nearby construction noise and/or maintenance as observed in a pair of servals ( Leptailurus serval ) [Chosy et al, ]. For the tigers, the pacing initially significantly increased, but decreased after the second treatment, although the sit/stand and lie down behaviors increased; these three changes are indicative of a neutral outcome.…”