Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)?

Dishman, Diana L.; Thomson, Diane M.; Karnovsky, Nina J.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2008.06.012

Cited by 33 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Here, we suggest that the behavior patterns of the free‐ranging lemurs at Fota Wildlife Park are similar to lemurs in the wild when food is not scarce. We did not observe intra‐group aggression, which can occur when resources are limited in wild populations (Budnitz & Dainis, ; Sauther et al, ), nor did we observe stereotypies sometimes displayed by traditionally caged captive lemurs (Dishman et al, ; Tarou, Bloomsmith, & Maple, ). Additionally, the number of species foraged and the daily foraging pattern observed at Fota Wildlife Park is similar to wild populations.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 52%

The effects of environmental and visitor variables on the behavior of free‐ranging ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in captivity

Collins

Corkery²,

Haigh

et al. 2017

Zoo Biology

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The effect of the zoo environment on captive animals is an increasingly studied area of zoo research, with visitor effects and exhibit design recognized as two of the factors that can contribute to animal welfare in captivity. It is known that in some situations, visitors may be stressful to zoo-housed primates, and this may be compounded by environmental factors such as the weather, the time of day, and zoo husbandry routines. Exhibit design and proximity of the public are also known to influence behavioral response of primates to visitors; however, there is minimal research on free-ranging zoo animals, even though they are potentially subjected to intense interactions with visitors. The current study explores the effect of the zoo environment, several visitor variables and specific animal-visitor interactions on the behavior of free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland. Data were obtained through scan samples collected over 18 months (n = 12,263) and analyzed using a range of statistical tests, including general estimating equations (GEE). Results demonstrate that the free-ranging lemurs' behavior at Fota Wildlife Park is affected by season, weather and time of day. Similarities in feeding behavior exist between the free-ranging group and lemurs in the wild when resources are plentiful. Visitor variables had a limited effect on lemur behavior and behavioral diversity level. Lemurs rarely reacted to visitors when specific interactions were considered. Generally, the results indicate that the ring-tailed lemurs in this study have adapted well to the zoo environment and habituated to visitors.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 52%

The effects of environmental and visitor variables on the behavior of free‐ranging ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in captivity

Collins

Corkery²,

Haigh

et al. 2017

Zoo Biology

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“…Both abiotic (e.g., artificial light, loud noises) and confinement‐specific stressors (e.g.,, proximity to humans, inability to retreat) can lead to immunosuppression, increased stereotypic behavior, and lowered reproductive success (Kanitz, Tuchscherer, Puppe, Tuchscherer, & Stabenow, ; Moore and Jessop, ; Morgan & Tromborg, ; Shyne, ). Captive facilities also put animals at a higher risk for obesity and obesity‐related diseases, as activity levels and diets greatly differ between captive environments and the wild (Britt, ; Dishman, Thomson, & Karnovsky, ; Goodchild & Schwitzer, ; Videan, Fritz, & Murphy, ). In order to reduce the negative impacts caused by captive housing, captive facilities have instilled practices that help promote natural behaviors and increase activity levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Environmental enrichment is a standard tool that has been implemented by zoos, aquariums, and other facilities to address these issues and improve the welfare and well‐being of captive animals (Dishman et al, ; Maloney et al, ; Maple and Perdue, ; Shepherdson, ; Sommerfeld, Bauert, Hillmann, & Stauffacher, ). The purpose of environmental enrichment is to improve the “quality of captive animal care by identifying and providing the environmental stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological well‐being” (Shepherdson, , pp.1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral responses of three lemur species to different food enrichment devices

Shapiro

Ehmke

2018

Zoo Biology

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Environmental enrichment is a tool used to promote the welfare and well-being of captive animals by encouraging the display of species-specific behaviors and reducing the stress or boredom induced by captive environments. Lemurs are highly endangered, yet few studies have analyzed the behavioral impacts of enrichment on captive populations. We studied the impacts of two novel enrichment devices on three lemur species (ring-tailed lemurs [Lemur catta], red-ruffed lemurs [Varecia rubra], and Coquerel's sifaka [Propithecus coquereli]) to determine both the overall and species-specific impacts of enrichment on lemur behavior. We recorded lemur behavior using the continuous sampling method to obtain behavior duration and analyzed our results using ANOVA Repeated Measures. Results showed enrichment effectiveness differed for each species and that different enrichment devices had varying impacts on lemur behavior across all species. We attributed the differences in species-specific responses to the unique locomotor patterns and methods of diet acquisition of each species, and the variances in behavioral responses across all species to the characteristics of each device. Our study highlights the importance of species-specific enrichment and encourages further research in this field in order to maximize the positive effects of enrichment, which in turn has the potential to affect the overall well-being of captive populations.

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“…Enrichment (including structural, olfactory, social, or object enrichment) promotes psychological well-being, physical activity, performance of natural behaviors, and can decrease stress and stereotypical behaviors. Several studies have found that enrichment can positively impact lemurs in captivity (feeding enrichment [Kerridge, 2005;Dishman et al, 2009]). Not all enrichment, however, results in positive behavioral change and this, therefore, requires testing [Shepherdson, 1998;Mehrkam and Dorey, 2015].…”

Section: Captive Housingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Captive Conditions of Pet Lemurs in Madagascar

Reuter

Schaefer²

2016

IJFP

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Live extraction of wildlife is a threat to biodiversity and can compromise animal welfare standards. Studies of the captive environments and welfare of pet primates are known, but none has focused on Madagascar. We aimed to expand knowledge about the captive conditions of pet lemurs in Madagascar. We hypothesized that captive lemurs would often be kept in restrictive settings, including small cages, would be fed foods inconsistent with their natural diets and, as a result, would be in bad physical or psychological health. Data were collected via a web-based survey (n = 253 reports) and from the websites and social media pages of 25 hotels. Most lemurs seen by respondents were either kept on a rope/leash/chain or in a cage (67%), though some lemurs were habituated and were not restrained (28%). Most of the time (72%) cages were considered small, and lemurs were rarely kept in captivity together with other lemurs (81% of lemurs were caged alone). Pet lemurs were often fed foods inconsistent with their natural diets, and most (53%) were described as being in bad health. These findings point to a need to undertake outreach to pet lemur owners in Madagascar about the captivity requirements of primates.

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Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)?

Cited by 33 publications

References 15 publications

The effects of environmental and visitor variables on the behavior of free‐ranging ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in captivity

The effects of environmental and visitor variables on the behavior of free‐ranging ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in captivity

Behavioral responses of three lemur species to different food enrichment devices

Captive Conditions of Pet Lemurs in Madagascar

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