Influence of Zoo Visitor Presence on the Behavior of Captive Indian Gaur (<i>Bos gaurus gaurus</i>) in a Zoological Park

Sekar, M.; Rajagopal, Thangavel; Archunan, ‪Govindaraju

doi:10.1080/10888700802330093

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…The decreased inactivity in the pigs in this study is similar to findings of increased activity under conditions of greater visitor pressure in zoo-housed gaur (Sekar et al, 2008), and blackbuck (Rajagopal et al, 2011). Conversely both of these species, and also gazelles (Mansour et al, 2000), showed higher aggression under the same conditions, whereas the pigs in this study showed lower aggression.…”

Section: The Presence Of Visitors Affects Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig supporting

confidence: 73%

“…Some felids, for example, appear to show little or no behavioural response to visitors (Margulis et al, 2003, O'Donovan et al, 1993, whereas other studies report a visitor density influence on the behaviour of zoo-housed cats Chellam, 2002, Sellinger andHa, 2005). Ungulates have not been widely studied in this context, but sika deer (Cervus nippon; Shen-Jin et al, 2010) and Soemmerring's gazelle (Gazella soemmerringii; Mansour et al2000) both show increased alertness as visitor density increases, and higher levels of aggression have been found in gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus; Sekar et al, 2008) and blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra; Rajagopal et al, 2011) when visitor pressure is high.…”

mentioning

confidence: 90%

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The visitor effect in petting zoo-housed animals: Aversive or enriching?

Farrand

Hosey

Buchanan‐Smith

2014

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Two studies were carried out on the effect of visitors on mixed-breed goats, llama, and Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs housed in a petting zoo display within a safari park. In the first study we investigated the effect of the presence and density of visitors on the animals' behaviour and in the second, the effect of animal grooming by the visitors. We hypothesised that the animals' behaviour would be negatively affected by presence of visitors compared to periods of their absence, but this hypothesis was not fully supported by the data. Goat and llama behaviour was unaffected by the presence of the public, while the pigs showed decreased inactivity and social behaviour, both affiliative and aggressive, when visitors were present.All three study species exhibited increased levels of non-aggressive interaction with the public when visitor density was higher but the level of avoidance or aggression towards visitors was not dependent on density. The goats were less often in physical contact with other goats and less likely to be within proximity of a non-conspecific when visitor numbers were high, whereas the pigs showed decreased feeding, a behaviour that constituted a majority of their activity budget. Species differences were observed in the proportion of samples the study groups interacted in a non-aggressive manner with visitors, goats being most likely and llama the least likely to engage in this behaviour. In the second study visitors were provided with a grooming tool and asked to groom the animals, but no significant behavioural change was observed in either goats or pigs as a result. Visitors groomed goats, but not pigs, more than they interacted with them in non-grooming interactions, and goats, but not pigs, responded less to grooming as visitor density increased.Although significant behavioural changes in all three study species were associated with either visitor presence or density, the low levels of avoidance of visitors, visitor-directed aggression, or animaldirected aggression, suggest the welfare of the study animals was not profoundly impacted by visitorrelated stimuli. Furthermore, there was no evidence that grooming by the public was enriching for the animals. The species differences reported here do suggest, however, that Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and 3 llama are more sensitive to visitor pressure than goats and particular attention to their welfare may be necessary when they are housed in petting zoo displays.

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Section: The Presence Of Visitors Affects Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig supporting

confidence: 73%

mentioning

confidence: 90%

The visitor effect in petting zoo-housed animals: Aversive or enriching?

Farrand

Hosey

Buchanan‐Smith

2014

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…The literature on captive animals indicates that fear-provoking stimuli may lead to redirected behaviours such as aggression and abnormal behaviours (Mason, 1991;Olsson et al, 2011), behaviours that are likely associated with a range of negative emotions, such as frustration and anger (Broom and Johnson, 1993;Mellor, 2012;Van Loo et al, 2003). Interestingly, increases in intra-group aggression under high visitor numbers has been reported in a range of species including Indian gaur (Sekar et al, 2008), ring-tail lemurs (Chamove et al, 1988), Indian blackbuck (Rajagopal et al, 2011) and gorillas (Wells, 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Little penguins, Eudyptula minor, show increased avoidance, aggression and vigilance in response to zoo visitors

Sherwen

Magrath

Butler

et al. 2015

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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“…GPS-collars in this study described both nocturnal and diurnal patterns of captive coyotes. While it is beneficial to obtain information without human disturbance (Larsen, Sherwen, and Rault, 2014;Sekar, Rajagopal, and Archunan, 2008), GPS-collars only depict location and lack information on animal behavior. Behavioral assessments can help explain the functionality of resources in relation to the animal's inherent natural tendencies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enclosure Utilization and Enrichment Structure Preferences of Captive Coyotes

Schultz¹,

Young

2019

J. Zoo Biol.

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Environmental enrichment improves well-being of captive animals using a variety of tools, including adding complexity to the physical environment. Designing enrichment structures requires an understanding of behavioral and biological responses to enrichment efforts. Captive coyotes (Canis latrans) utilize shelter structures to hide, rest, and display vigilant behavior. Because these simple structures are regularly used, new and more complex enrichment structures could enhance enclosure enrichment. This study examined the time captive coyotes spent at discrete, complex enclosure features to determine: (1) how coyotes utilize enclosure space and shelter structures; and (2) if coyotes have a preferred enrichment structure design. Three enrichment structure designs (ramp, closed, and neutral) were installed simultaneously in 0.6-ha enclosures during two breeding seasons (January – March). Additional coyote pairs were monitored in control enclosures with simple structures. GPS-collars and scan sampling were used throughout a 28-day testing period to record space use and behavior. Coyotes spent most of their time at perimeter and open areas, but also exhibited a preference for shelter structures. Coyotes utilized the complex enrichment structures in treatment enclosures more than simple structures in control enclosures. Although there was no statistical preference for one specific type of complex structure, composite evidence from GPS-collars and behavioral data suggested that coyotes were most frequently located at ramp structures. Coyotes utilized ramp structures more during the daytime and demonstrated higher rates of vigilance there. This study advances the knowledge of captive coyote spatial patterns while helping improve environmental enrichment planning for captive facilities through the exploration of adding complexity to animal enclosures.

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Influence of Zoo Visitor Presence on the Behavior of Captive Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) in a Zoological Park

Cited by 25 publications

References 24 publications

The visitor effect in petting zoo-housed animals: Aversive or enriching?

The visitor effect in petting zoo-housed animals: Aversive or enriching?

Little penguins, Eudyptula minor, show increased avoidance, aggression and vigilance in response to zoo visitors

Enclosure Utilization and Enrichment Structure Preferences of Captive Coyotes

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