Variation in the parental care systems of mammals and the impact on zoo breeding programs

Abstract

The identity of mammalian caregivers, the types of care each may provide to young, and the developmental, ecological, and social factors that influence the amount and distribution of care are discussed. Care is distinguished from use and abuse in terms of the impact on the survival of young. Some effects of the failure to allow for adequate maternal care are described, and various management strategies to promote adequate and appropriate care behaviors are identified.

Case studies of infant development in two guenons, the Wolf's guenon Cercopithecus pogonias wolfi and Allen's swamp monkey Allenopithecus nigroviridis, at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

“…Our observations suggest several recommendations for husbandry. First, interactions with other group members can include infant use and abuse (Baker, 1994), and spatially precocious guenon infants will encounter group members when they are still quite young. Therefore, non-maternal social relationships should be monitored with care.…”

The influence of husbandry and pack management on Dhole Cuon alpinus reproduction

“…Animals that suffer from severe stress show a reduced ability to reproduce. This can also have an influence during pregnancy (Baker, 1994; Carlstead & Sheperdson, 1994).…”

“…It is very important for the mother to keep close contact to her suckling offspring over a longer period of time. This triggers and promotes the care eliciting behavior via endocrinology (Baker, 1994).…”

Integration of one hand‐reared Cherry‐crowned mangabeyCercocebus torquatus torquatusand two hand‐reared DrillsMandrillus leucophaeusinto their respective family groups at Barcelona Zoo

“…In captivity some ♀ primates demonstrate partial or total incompetence in caring for their offspring. This may be the result of several factors, from the mother's inability to develop appropriate maternal behaviour (because of a lack of knowledge or experience of such behaviour or inappropriate psychological traits; Baker, 1994; Pryce, 1995) to illness or death of the mother, or ill health of the offspring.…”

“…This would entail reintegration of the individual into its natal group or a similar group while it is still an infant; thus it would then socialize with its conspecifics as if it had been mother‐reared. This would facilitate learning of species‐typical behaviours (Baker, 1994) during the important developmental stage of growth.…”