Managing free‐ranging callitrichids in zoos

Abstract

This paper describes the management techniques developed over 20 years of experience with free-ranging groups of callitrichids at Durrell Wildlife Park (formerly Jersey Zoo), UK, with an additional 12 years of information from Zürich Zoo, Switzerland. Seventeen groups of eight different species have been released in woodland areas at Durrell, and two groups at Zürich. Release periods ranged from 2 weeks to 14 years. The evolution of release protocols is described, along with brief descriptions of problems that have occurred. The advantages and problems of maintaining callitrichids in freeranging environments are discussed.

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

“…Previous studies have reported that free‐ranging monkeys are adept at jumping on and obtaining food from baby strollers (Jens et al, ; Price et al, ). At Fota, the presence of a baby stroller was associated with a decrease in grooming, as well as a decrease in locomotion.…”

“…Yet, more than 90% of visitors reported that they appreciate the close encounters with the animals (Jens et al, 2012). Price et al (2012) found the monkeys' reaction to visitors varied between the two zoos and among the species studied, which suggests differences in species temperament and adaptation to their surroundings were important in the freeranging animals observed in the study.…”

The impact of exhibit type on behaviour of caged and free-ranging tamarins

“…Some studies report increased survival as a result of exposure to 108 5 such environments (Miller et al, 1990; Biggins et al, 1999;Valladares-Padua et al, 2000), whilst 109 others found no additional survival benefits (Beck et al, 2002;Stoinski and Beck, 2004). However, 110 the definition of "free-ranging" used in the latter studies is debatable (Price et al, 2012). Therefore, 111 increasing knowledge of the effect of free-ranging exhibits on behavioural repertoires would be 112 beneficial, and would help to identify the best exhibit types for preserving and promoting natural 113 behaviours.…”

“…Individuals are afforded a degree of control in their environment, allowing them 91 to be behaviourally flexible and exhibit adaptive responses to novel situations, as required in situ 92 (Shepherdson, 1994; Chang et al, 1999). Studies of free-ranging callitrichids in comparison to caged 93 individuals have reported adaptive behaviour and increased natural behaviours, including vigilance, 94 feeding, locomotion and wider substrate use (Price et al, 1989(Price et al, , 1991(Price et al, , 2012Price, 1992; Moore, 95 1997), reduced mortality and increased success in weaning offspring (Steinmetz et al, 2011) and 96 lower levels of injury, illness or fighting (Beck et al, 2002). 97 98 However, it has been argued that even naturalistic exhibits can never fully replicate the pressures and 99 unpredictability found in situ (Hosey, 2005; McPhee and Carlstead, 2010).…”

“…The relationship between free-ranging captive exhibits and reintroduction success is also ambiguous 107 (Beck et al, 2002;Price et al, 2012). Some studies report increased survival as a result of exposure to 108 5 such environments (Miller et al, 1990; Biggins et al, 1999;Valladares-Padua et al, 2000), whilst 109 others found no additional survival benefits (Beck et al, 2002;Stoinski and Beck, 2004).…”