Visitor Behaviors and Perceptions of Jaguar Activities

Godinez, Andrea M.; Fernández, Eduardo J.; Morrissey, Kris

doi:10.2752/175303713x13795775535850

Cited by 41 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Thus, the environmental enrichment improved the welfare of these four jaguars, because excessive inactivity has been considered as stressful for the animals (Davey 2007, Maia et al 2012 or as a negative behavior in jaguars (Godinez et al 2013). Moreover, an increase in non-stereotypic activerelated behaviors ('active standing' and 'movement') may indicate that the jaguars were in a better condition during the enrichment (Bashaw et al 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reduction of 'out of sight' frequencies by the animals (Figure 1) may reflect that the four jaguars interacted with the enrichments in the visible area and also may be an effect of the increase in 'movement' behaviors. Thus, environmental enrichments may also have improved the public experience with these animals, considering that Godinez et al (2013) demonstrated that the public form larger crowd sizes when the jaguars are visible and active. The general increase in 'maintenance' behaviors in the second phase may be a consequence of most enrichments involved food items, thus the jaguars may have licked after interacting with such enrichments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Environmental Enrichments on the Behaviors of Four Captive Jaguars: Individuality Matters

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The effects of different environmental enrichments on the behaviors of four captive jaguars, Panthera onca (Carnivora, Felidae), were individually evaluated. The frequency of jaguar behaviors were recorded in three phases: before, during and after environmental enrichments application. These included hose ball, scent trail, meat tubes, cardboard boxes with meat or elephant feces, stuffed pumpkins, meat ice cream, meat with animal hair, bags with meat, and sounds. The enrichments reduced inactivity and the time duration when jaguars were out of sight, and increased general activity and maintenance behaviors of all tested jaguars. However, the behavioral responses expressed considering other behaviors and after the removal of environmental enrichments varied among individuals. When there were no more enrichments in their enclosures, two jaguars seemed to be in a worse condition than before the introduction of them, while the oldest jaguar maintained all the positive effects. The other jaguar expressed intermediate responses between these two patterns after the removal of the enrichments. Although the tested enrichments improved the welfare of the jaguars, we conclude that individual variability of response to the enrichments highlights the need to consider individual variation in future studies, since some individuals may take better advantages from the enrichments than others.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Environmental Enrichments on the Behaviors of Four Captive Jaguars: Individuality Matters

et al. 2018

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“…The impact of R/R, and other abnormal behaviours, on zoo visitor satisfaction, as it is arguably an unpleasant behaviour to observe (Lukas et al, 1999). For example, Godinez et al (2013) found that zoo visitors' dwell times at a US zoo were longer at the Jaguar (Panthera onca) enclosure, and their 'visit satisfaction' ratings were higher, when animals were observed doing normal active behaviours, as opposed to stereotypies or being out of sight. If R/R in great apes is affecting visitor satisfaction and dwell times in the same way, it may hinder zoos' efforts to engage the public with conservation action for these species (Barongi et al, 2015), in addition to the welfare concerns.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Regurgitation and reingestion’ (R/R) in great apes: a review of current knowledge

Hill

2018

International Zoo Yearbook

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Research indicates that regurgitation and reingestion (R/R) is a relatively common behaviour in zoo-housed great apes, with most work to date carried out on Western lowland gorillas Gorilla gorilla gorilla and Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes. It is an abnormal behaviour because great apes are not anatomically adapted to regurgitate their food as part of their normal feeding processes, and because this behaviour is not seen in members of the species living freely in the wild, in conditions that would allow a full behavioural range. In this article, I give an overview of the published literature on R/R in great apes, which suggests that this behaviour is probably multifactorial and may be linked to inappropriate feeding environments (e.g. in terms of nutritional composition of the diet and/or presentation of food), and possibly also social and other factors as well. A similar behaviour to R/R, known as rumination disorder, can also occur in another great ape species, humans, in whom it is classified as a feeding and eating disorder, and there are potential consequences to people's physical health as a result of oral acid. There have been no known studies to date to identify whether or not similar health consequences can occur in non-human great apes, but the regurgitant has been found to be significantly more acidic in gorillas than the food they ingested originally, meaning it is potentially injurious in non-human great apes. There is much that is not yet known about this behaviour and how to reduce or eliminate it when it does occur, as the research indicates that there are a range of factors involved, and these can vary by individual animal. More research into this behaviour is clearly needed to ensure that zoos and sanctuaries are providing the best possible care for these animals, and I make some suggestions for future research directions.

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“…High expectations of visibility could easily lead to disappointment that could have a negative impact on the visitor's experience. For example, Godinez et al, [] found visitors’ enjoyment of the exhibit was lower when the jaguars, in their study, were not visible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

“…High expectations of visibility could easily lead to disappointment that could have a negative impact on the visitor's experience. For example, Godinez et al, [2013] found visitors' enjoyment of the exhibit was lower when the jaguars, in their study, were not visible. In any assessment of animal visibility and behavior, in relation to the zoo visitor experience, it is important to consider what the natural behavioral repertoire of the animals under study actually is.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Quality vs. quantity: Assessing the visibility of the jaguars housed at Chester Zoo, UK

Turnock

Moss

2015

Zoo Biology

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To fulfill an educational or visitor-related role in the zoo's collection, a species needs to be visible to the visiting public. However, this may not always be achievable for animals housed in naturalistic enclosures, particularly species which are highly camouflaged and have an elusive nature, such as jaguars. Four jaguars housed at Chester Zoo (UK) were studied to assess the quality of visibility from the public viewing area and to provide recommendations for assessing visibility to evaluate the educational role of elusive species. Data were recorded on whether the jaguar could be seen, the proportion of the body that was visible and their behavior. The jaguars could be seen 19.5% (i.e. quantity), from the public viewing area, of the observed time. 69.2% of this time the whole of the jaguars' body was on-show and it was possible to observe their behavior during all of these observations. However, when less of the body was visible, the behavior of the jaguars could be observed on significantly fewer occasions (P < .001). When we incorporate behavior and proportion of body into the analysis and look at 'educationally meaningful visibility' (i.e. whole of the animal's body and a behavior could be observed), then the measurement of visibility is reduced to 13.3% (i.e. quality). A simple yes or no, in relation to whether an animal is visible or not, does not give us the detail needed to assess if a species is fulfilling an educational role. Potential solutions to address poor visibility are also discussed.

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Visitor Behaviors and Perceptions of Jaguar Activities

Cited by 41 publications

References 17 publications

Effects of Environmental Enrichments on the Behaviors of Four Captive Jaguars: Individuality Matters

Effects of Environmental Enrichments on the Behaviors of Four Captive Jaguars: Individuality Matters

‘Regurgitation and reingestion’ (R/R) in great apes: a review of current knowledge

Quality vs. quantity: Assessing the visibility of the jaguars housed at Chester Zoo, UK

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