Feeding live prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland

Cottle, Lauren; Tamir, Dan; Hyseni, Mimoza; Bühler, Dominique; Lindemann‐Matthies, Petra

doi:10.1002/zoo.20261

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The results indicate that visitors are very supportive of live feeding in every situation except for the live feeding of the rabbit to the tiger (Cottle et al, 2010). Eighty-two percent of visitors agreed with otters eating live fish on-exhibit and 87% agreed with lizards eating live insects on-exhibit, but those numbers drop drastically to 48% of visitors who agree with the idea of live feeding rabbits on-exhibit (Cottle et al, 2010). The percentage increases a bit to 68% when the idea of live feeding rabbits off-exhibit is presented (Cottle et al, 2010).…”

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Eighty-two percent of visitors agreed with otters eating live fish on-exhibit and 87% agreed with lizards eating live insects on-exhibit, but those numbers drop drastically to 48% of visitors who agree with the idea of live feeding rabbits on-exhibit (Cottle et al, 2010). The percentage increases a bit to 68% when the idea of live feeding rabbits off-exhibit is presented (Cottle et al, 2010). Based on the results the researchers hypothesize that, "Attractive mammals being killed and eaten by other attractive mammals might not be people's idea of an enjoyable family excursion, especially if the prey resembles their children's beloved pet animals" (Cottle et al, 2010, p. 349).…”

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cottle, Tamir, Hyseni, Bühler, and Lindemann-Matthies (2010) surveyed 400 visitors at the zoo in Zurich, Switzerland to ascertain visitor attitudes toward the live feeding of different species of animals. Starting with insects fed to lizards and fish fed to otters, the survey finally asked whether or not visitors would be comfortable with watching a tiger eat a live rabbit (Cottle et al, 2010). The results indicate that visitors are very supportive of live feeding in every situation except for the live feeding of the rabbit to the tiger (Cottle et al, 2010).…”

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Starting with insects fed to lizards and fish fed to otters, the survey finally asked whether or not visitors would be comfortable with watching a tiger eat a live rabbit (Cottle et al, 2010). The results indicate that visitors are very supportive of live feeding in every situation except for the live feeding of the rabbit to the tiger (Cottle et al, 2010). Eighty-two percent of visitors agreed with otters eating live fish on-exhibit and 87% agreed with lizards eating live insects on-exhibit, but those numbers drop drastically to 48% of visitors who agree with the idea of live feeding rabbits on-exhibit (Cottle et al, 2010).…”

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anecdotally, the most common question asked by visitors during the study was whether or not the prey animal was alive when it went into the exhibit. There are hypothetical studies that examine this issue such as those implemented by Cottle et al (2010) and Ings, Waran, & Young (1997) that could be relied on as models to determine visitor's comfort levels.…”

Section: Areas For Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Food for Thought: Assessing Visitor Comfort and Attitudes toward Carcass Feeding at the ABQ BioPark Zoo

Roth

Visscher

2017

Anthrozoös

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: How Do Visitors Perceive Non-traditional Feeding Strategies?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Areas For Further Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Food for Thought: Assessing Visitor Comfort and Attitudes toward Carcass Feeding at the ABQ BioPark Zoo

Roth

Visscher

2017

Anthrozoös

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Investigating the impact of large carcass feeding on the behavior of captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) and its perception by zoo visitors

Gaengler

Clum

2015

Zoo Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Naturalistic feeding methods, such as the provision of whole carcasses to zoo animals, are potentially controversial because zoo visitors might not approve of them. However, since several species of zoo animals feed from large carcasses in the wild, this food type could benefit their welfare in captivity compared to other less-natural food types. Scavengers in particular almost exclusively live on carcasses in nature; therefore, their welfare in captivity could significantly depend on the opportunity to express behaviors related to carcass feeding. In this study, we assessed the frequency of carcass feeding for vultures in North American zoos and investigated the effect of different food types on the behavior of zoo-housed Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). We also evaluated the opinion of North American zoo visitors about carcass feeding. Our results show that small whole carcasses (rats, rabbits) are part of the diet of vultures in most North American zoos, but large whole carcasses (ungulates) are rarely fed. Our behavioral study indicated that Andean condors appear to be more motivated to feed on more natural food types, which also seem to physically engage the birds more and occupy them longer. Most zoo visitors approved of carcass feeding for captive vultures over a range of prey animals, and the majority would also like to observe the vultures eat. Collectively, our results demonstrate that carcass feeding, particularly with larger prey, potentially enriches both zoo-housed vultures as well as the visitor experience.

show abstract

Ensiling of maple leaves and its use in winter nutrition of mantled guereza (Colobus guereza)

Lasek

Rajtar

Malec³

et al. 2021

Zoo Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Young leaves are favored by mantled guereza (Colobus guereza) and the gastrointestinal tract of this species is well adapted to such a high fiber diet. Fresh maple leaves are often used in the diets for guereza in captivity but their use in winter feeding time is limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of additives on chemical composition and fermentation parameters of maple leaf silage, as well as inclusion of maple leaf silage in the diet for mantled guereza on feed and nutrient intake. Maple leaves were ensiled without additives (MLS), with a mixture of bacterial inoculants (MLS + BI) and with carrot additives (MLS + C). The chemical composition and fermentation parameters were determined in fresh and ensiled material. A group of seven mantled guerezas were fed a standard diet, and afterwards shifted to a diet with maple leaf silage (contained 20% of MLS; as fed). Each diet was fed for 7 days when the feed and nutrient intake were measured. The ensiling process did not change the concentration of most nutrients compared to the fresh material. The inclusion of leaf silage increased dry matter intake by guereza (125.3 vs. 163.3 g dry matter/day). Therefore, higher nutrient intake (crude protein, NDF, ADF) was observed when maple leaf silage was included in the diet. In conclusion, the ensiling process (even without additives) proved to be a good conservation method for maple leaves. Furthermore, inclusion of maple leaf silage in the winter diets for guereza, and possibly other folivorous primates, may increase dry matter and nutrients (particularly fiber) intake.

show abstract

Feeding live prey to zoo animals: response of zoo visitors in Switzerland

Cited by 13 publications

References 14 publications

Food for Thought: Assessing Visitor Comfort and Attitudes toward Carcass Feeding at the ABQ BioPark Zoo

Food for Thought: Assessing Visitor Comfort and Attitudes toward Carcass Feeding at the ABQ BioPark Zoo

Investigating the impact of large carcass feeding on the behavior of captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) and its perception by zoo visitors

Ensiling of maple leaves and its use in winter nutrition of mantled guereza (Colobus guereza)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About