Strategies of Environmental Enrichment for ocelot Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora, Felidae) at Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos: a study case in Brazil

Abstract

O enriquecimento ambiental é utilizado por zoológicos para estimular a interação dos animais cativos com o ambiente para elevar o bem-estar e diversificar as oportunidades comportamentais. Este estudo de caso investigou o efeito do enriquecimento ambiental no orçamento de atividades do macho de jaguatirica adulto cativo no Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, Brasil. O experiment foi realizado de agosto de 2011 a junho de 2012 e foi dividido em três fases denominadas: Pré-enriquecimento, Enquecimento, e Pós-enriquecimento. Os métodos de análise utilizados foram Animal-focal e Ad libitum. As observações sugerem um aumento do comportamento de locomoção e uma significante redução nas estereotipias do animal. As técnicas de enriquecimento aplicadas nesse estudo provaram ser efetivas para a redução das estereotipias e aumento do repertório comportamental da espécie no cativeiro.

The Evolution of Zoos as Conservation Institutions: A Summary of the Transition from Menageries to Zoological Gardens and Parallel Improvement of Mammalian Welfare Management

“…In humans, however, prolonged exposure of the brain to the stress hormone cortisol causes hippocampus degeneration, which is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia [4,28,70]. The research consensus is that stereotypies are products of essential environmental elements going unfulfilled [5,71,72]. The repetitive behaviors result from the failure of satiety mechanisms to be engaged, which would provide negative feedback under normal conditions.…”

“…Such predation behaviors might be simulated by presenting food items in intentionally laborious orientations, perhaps hanging above ground level, hidden within objects, or buried. Activities like cheetah runs also leverage hunting and foraging tools, as do items that stimulate olfactory (e.g., spices), auditory (e.g., music and radio), visual (e.g., automated toys and movies), and tactile (e.g., substrate propping) sensations [13,57,71,72,80,81,83,87,91]. Figure 3 depicts cheetahs offered enrichment items designed to engage their natural hunting behaviors.…”

Effects of Fresh Chicken Meat and Wood Enrichments on Behavior of Sumatran Tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae, Pocock, 1929) at Tambling Wildlife Nature Conservation Rescue Centre

“…Enrichment technique is one of method that was designed for animal to compensate their environment in the captivity [16]. Enrichment can reduce stereotype behavior effectively in the captivity [17,18,19]. Enrichment techniques for tiger can be applied in such various ways such as environmental enrichment, feeding enrichment and hunting behavior [18,20,21], olfactory stimulation, social interaction, and enclosure enrichment [18].…”