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A comparative study of the influence of social housing conditions on the behaviour of captive tigers (Panthera tigris)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

M De Rouck ,
AC Kitchener ,
G Law  and
M Nelissen
M De Rouck
Affiliation:
Behavioural Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
AC Kitchener
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, Scotland, UK
G Law
Affiliation:
Biological Services, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, Scotland, UK
M Nelissen*
Affiliation:
Behavioural Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Nowadays, zoos are increasingly concerned with animal welfare as public expectations and knowledge of the needs of captive animals increases. Although many zoos try to provide all sorts of enrichment for their big cats, the importance of social enrichment is not yet fully understood. This study investigates the effect of different social housing conditions on the behaviour exhibited by captive tigers (Panthera tigris). It was found that paired tigers performed a wider variety of behaviours than single tigers (mostly direct social interactions). Single animals spent significantly more time rolling, auto-playing and performing flehmen. Moreover, paired tigers without neighbouring tigers exhibited significantly less pacing than those with neighbouring tigers. These results suggest that housing tigers in pairs is preferable for the animals as they are able to perform a wider range of natural behaviours, and that the presence of neighbouring tigers causes stress and frustration, and hence more pacing.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourcaptivitysocial conditionstiger
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , August 2005 , pp. 229 - 238
Copyright
© 2005 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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