Evaluation of different observational sampling regimes for use in zoological parks

Margulis, Susan W.; Westhus, Eric

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2007.05.001

Cited by 25 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These findings on elephants were similar to studies on captive cheetahs and black rhinos that demonstrated a strong agreement between keeper survey responses and direct observations in describing individual behavioral styles [Carlstead et al, 1999b;Wielebnowski, 1999]. With high levels of training and education, and intimate knowledge of individual animals, keepers are perceptive observers of behavior [Margulis and Westhus, 2008]. However, keepers are more likely to influence subject behavior than unfamiliar observers and with limited time to observe the animals may miss observing some of the less common interactions [Margulis and Westhus, 2008].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…The social interactions and rank of captive individuals of many species is frequently assessed by surveying people familiar with the animals [Gold and Maple, 1994;Carlstead et al, 1999a,b;Wielebnowski et al, 2002a] or by using direct behavioral observations [Mellen, 1991;Rodden et al, 1996;Wielebnowski et al, 2002b;Montaudouin and Le Pape, 2005;Margulis and Westhus, 2008]. Keeper evaluations must be validated on a species by species basis; however, only a few studies have compared data gathered using both techniques [Carlstead et al, 1999b;Wielebnowski, 1999].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using behavioral observations and keeper questionnaires to assess social relationships among captive female African elephants

Freeman¹,

Schulte²,

Brown³

2010

Zoo Biology

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Free-ranging African elephants are highly social animals that live in a society where age, size, kinship, and disposition all contribute to social rank. Although captive elephant herds are small and largely comprises of unrelated females, dominance hierarchies are common. The goal of this study was to delineate how the behavior of captive female African elephants varies with respect to age and social rank based on a combination of keeper questionnaires and behavioral observations. "Body movements" and "trunk to" behaviors of 33 nonpregnant female African elephants housed at 14 North American zoos were recorded over 8 hr. Keepers at each facility also rated each elephant based on a series of questions about interactions with herdmates. The assessment of social rank based on observations correlated strongly with ranks assigned by keepers via the questionnaires. Observations and questionnaire responses indicated that body weight of the female, and to a lesser extent age, were significantly related to rates and types of "body movements" and that these demographic factors dictate the captive elephant hierarchy, similar to that observed in the wild. Many of the observed "body movements," such as back away, displace, push, and present, were correlated with keeper questionnaire responses about elephant interactions. However, none of the "trunk to" behaviors were related to age, size, or questionnaire responses even though they occurred frequently. In conclusion, we demonstrated that short-term behavioral observations and keeper questionnaires provided similar behavioral profiles for female African elephants housed in North American zoos.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using behavioral observations and keeper questionnaires to assess social relationships among captive female African elephants

Freeman¹,

Schulte²,

Brown³

2010

Zoo Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Several authors have pointed to the value of keeper-conducted behavioral observations but noted the challenges of collecting behavioral data within a daily keeper schedule (Canino & Powell, 2010;Hoy, Murray, & Tribe, 2010a;Margulis & Westhus, 2008;Quirke & O'Riordan, 2013;Shyne, 2006). The 60-min median observation session duration in the studies reviewed here is quite a long period to fit within a keeper's routine.…”

Section: Methods Of Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They did not directly compare the results obtained with this data collection method to other, more time intensive methods. Margulis and Westhus (2008) and Quirke and O'Riordan (2013) each compared sampling periods of differing lengths and concluded that while brief point-scan observations did not detect accurate estimates of rare behaviors, they did provide estimates comparable with more intensive methods for more common behaviors (those occurring during over 15% of the intervals in an activity budget) and could therefore be useful in certain contexts. Quirke and O'Riordan (2013) also noted that in many cases, several brief (e.g., 15 min) observations adding up to 60 -120 min per day might be effective for evaluation.…”

Section: Methods Of Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Putting the “E” in SPIDER: Evolving Trends in the Evaluation of Environmental Enrichment Efficacy in Zoological Settings

Alligood¹,

Leighty²

2015

AB&C

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“…Another possibility is that the definitions of the traits on the survey were not clear to those who were not as experienced in rating behavior. Although inter-rater reliability was deemed reliable, timing can also be a concern as keepers often have limited time to directly observe animals for elongated periods and may miss observing infrequent occurrences of behavior Margulis & Westhus, 2008). In order to have more consistent results, future research could implement having raters with a certain length of experience with the study animals (e.g., more than 5 years) and with using the rating method to reduce the possibility of a rater not having the same amount of knowledge as the other raters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multifaceted Approach to Personality Assessment in Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

Razal¹,

Pisacane²,

Miller³

2016

AB&C

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-The purpose of this study was to assess the personality of 17 South African cheetahs at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. A multifaceted approach of observer ratings (rating method), behavioral data (coding method) and hormone monitoring was used to examine individual differences. Knowledge of these individual differences, i.e., personality, is essential to better husbandry and management in a zoological facility. Principal Components Analysis yielded five personality components: Insecure, Aggressive, Interactive, Active, and Unsociable. Comparing the personality components with gender, reproductive success, and hand-rearing history of the individuals revealed significant associations. The components Aggressive and Interactive had a positive correlation with behavioral diversity, and the component Unsociable had a positive correlation with self-maintenance. There was a significant gender difference, with males scoring higher on Aggressive and Interactive. Individuals who scored higher on these components also had higher levels of behavioral diversity, and males displayed higher levels of behavioral diversity than females. In addition, individuals that were reproductively successful scored higher on the component Unsociable, as well as displayed higher FGM levels. This study demonstrates the value of using a multifaceted approach to further understand and assess animal personality. Information gained from this study can ultimately help zoological facilities manage and assist with reproductive efforts in populations that are not currently self-sustaining, such as the cheetah.

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Evaluation of different observational sampling regimes for use in zoological parks

Cited by 25 publications

References 10 publications

Using behavioral observations and keeper questionnaires to assess social relationships among captive female African elephants

Using behavioral observations and keeper questionnaires to assess social relationships among captive female African elephants

Putting the “E” in SPIDER: Evolving Trends in the Evaluation of Environmental Enrichment Efficacy in Zoological Settings

Multifaceted Approach to Personality Assessment in Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)

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