Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-19T17:46:07.822Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A survey of the attitudes of stakeholders in the zoo industry towards the husbandry requirements of captive Great Apes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

AC Fernie ,
A Tribe ,
PJ Murray ,
A Lisle  and
CJC Phillips
AC Fernie
Affiliation:
School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton 4343, Queensland, Australia
A Tribe
Affiliation:
School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton 4343, Queensland, Australia
PJ Murray
Affiliation:
School of Animal Studies, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
A Lisle
Affiliation:
School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
CJC Phillips*
Affiliation:
Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton 4343, Queensland, Australia
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The attitudes of experts towards the husbandry of captive Great Apes was sought in order to gain a greater understanding of the potential importance of different features of the captive environment that may be critical in maintaining a high standard of welfare. Following initial consultation with the convener of the Primate Taxon Advisory Group of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria, 17 husbandry attributes, such as social structure of the group, enclosure size and staff qualifications, each with two to four levels (ie husbandry scenarios) of possible provision in an enclosure were identified and described. An online survey using Adaptive Conjoint Analysis was distributed internationally to relevant stakeholders: zoo management staff, keepers and education staff, research colony personnel, veterinarians, animal welfare organisation representatives and scientists. A total of 359 respondents completed the survey, and the average importance values for the attributes, and rank order of importance for each of their levels were calculated. Great Ape social structure, enclosure appearance, group size, avoidance provision and enclosure furnishings were considered the most important attributes of captive Great Ape husbandry, whereas feeding interval, staff qualifications, the inclusion of plants within the enclosure, enrichment rotation, and the amount of time an animal spent in an outdoor enclosure were considered of low importance. The order in which these issues were ranked was influenced by the Great Ape species, with physical attributes of the enclosure being rated as more important for orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and group social attributes more important for the other species. Stakeholder group had little influence on the ranking of issues. It is concluded that experts provided a consensus view on the importance of husbandry attributes of the different Great Ape species that can be used to evaluate their welfare.

Keywords

animal welfareGreat Apehusbandrystakeholdersurveyzoo
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , May 2012 , pp. 233 - 245
Copyright
© 2012 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

References

Anderson, JR and Chamove, AS 1984 Allowing captive primates to forage. Standards in Laboratory Animal Management pp 253–256. UFAW: Wheathampstead, Herts, UKGoogle Scholar
Armitage, P and Colton, T 1998 Encyclopedia of Biostatistics. John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, UKGoogle Scholar
Aspinall, J 1980 The husbandry of gorillas in captivity. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 28: 71–77Google Scholar
Bartussek, H 1999 A review of the animal needs index (ANI) for the assessment of animals’ well-being in the housing systems for Austrian proprietary products and legislation. Livestock Production Science 61: 179–192. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(99)00067-6CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bassett, L and Buchanan-Smith, HM 2007 Effects of predictability on the welfare of captive animals. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102: 223–245. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.029CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blaney, E and Wells, D 2004 The influence of a camouflage net barrier on the behaviour, welfare and public perceptions of zoo-housed gorillas. Animal Welfare 13: 111–118Google Scholar
Bloomsmith, MA and Baker, KC 2001 Social management of captive chimpanzees. In Brent L (ed) The Care and Management of Captive Chimpanzees pp 205–242. American Society of Primatologists: San Antonio, TX, USAGoogle Scholar
Bloomsmith, MA, Baker, KC, Lambeth, SP, Ross, SK and Schapiro, SJ 2001 Is giving chimpanzees control over environmental enrichment a good idea? The Apes: Challenges for the 21st Century pp 88–89. Brookfield Zoo: Brookfield, IL, USAGoogle Scholar
Böer, M 1983 Several examinations on the reproductive status of lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla) at Hannover Zoo. Zoo Biology, 2: 267–280. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430020403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boesch, C and Boesch-Achermann, H 2000 The Chimpanzees of the Taï Forest: Behavioural Ecology and Evolution. Oxford University Press: Oxford, UKGoogle Scholar
Brent, L and Stone, A 1996 Long-term use of televisions, balls, and mirrors as enrichment for paired and singly caged chimpanzees. American Journal of Primatology 39: 139–145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2345(1996)39:2<139::AID-AJP5>3.0.CO;2-#3.0.CO;2-#>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carlstead, K 1996 Effects of captivity on the behavior of wild mammals In: Kleiman, DG, Allen, ME, Thompson, KV and Lumpkin, A (eds) Wild Mammals in Captivity pp 317–332. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago, USAGoogle Scholar
Carlsted, K, Brown, JL and Seidensticker, J 1993 Behavioral and adrenocortical responses to environmental changes in leopard cats (Felis bengalensis). Zoo Biology 12: 321–331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430120403CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caws, CE, Wehnelt, S and Aureli, F 2008 The effect of a new vertical structure in mitigating aggressive behaviour in a large group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animal Welfare 17: 149–154Google Scholar
Celli, ML, Tomonaga, M, Udono, T, Teramoto, M and Nagano, K 2003 Tool use task as environmental enrichment for captive chimpanzees. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 81: 171–182. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00257-5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chamove, AS 2005 Environmental enrichment for monkeys using plants. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 44: 1–5Google Scholar
Crockett, CM, Bowers, CL, Shimoji, M, Leu, M, Bowden, DM and Sackett, GP 1995 Behavioural responses of long-tailed macaques to different cage sizes and common laboratory experiences. Journal of Comparative Psychology 109: 368–383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0735-7036.109.4.368CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crockett, CM, Shimoii, M and Bowden, DM 2000 Behavior, appetite, and urinary cortisol responses by adult female pigtailed macaques to cage size, cage level, room change, and ketamine sedation. American Journal of Primatology 52: 63–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1098-2345(200010)52:2<63::AID-AJP1>3.0.CO;2-K3.0.CO;2-K>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davenport, RK and Rogers, CM 1970 Differential rearing of the chimpanzee: a project survey. In Bourne GH (ed) The Chimpanzee pp 337–360. Karger: Basel, SwitzerlandGoogle Scholar
de Vaus, DA 1995 Surveys in Social Research. Allen & Unwin: Melbourne, USAGoogle Scholar
Elsner, R 2002 Techniques that promote the psychological well-being of captive primates and their application in the husbandry and management of gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Lincoln Park Zoo and at Lester E Fisher Great Ape House. Animal Keeper's Forum 29: 66–84Google Scholar
Erwin, J and Deni, R 1979 Strangers in a strange land: abnormal behaviors or abnormal environments? In: Erwin, J, Maple, T and Mitchell, G (eds) Captivity and Behavior pp 1–28. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co: New York, USAGoogle Scholar
Fraser, D 1995 Science, values and animal welfare: exploring the inextricable connection. Animal Welfare 4: 103–117Google Scholar
Goodall, J 1986 The Chimpanzees of Gombe. Patterns of Behavior. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press: Cambridge, USAGoogle Scholar
Hanson, JD, Larson, ME and Snowden, CT 1976 The effects of control over high intensity noise on plasma cortisol levels in rhesus monkeys. Behavioral Biology 16: 333–340. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6773(76)91460-7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hare, B, Melis, AP, Woods, V, Hastings, S and Wrangham, R 2007 Tolerance allows bonobos to outperform chimpanzees on a cooperative task. Current Biology 17: 619–623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.02.040CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hebert, P and Bard, K 2000 Orangutan use of vertical space in an innovative habitat. Zoo Biology 19: 239–251. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1098-2361(2000)19:4<239::AID-ZOO2>3.0.CO;2-73.0.CO;2-7>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Honess, PE and Marin, CM 2006 Behavioural and physiological aspects of stress and aggression in nonhuman primates. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 30: 390–412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2005.04.003CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
International Species Information System (ISIS) 2010 ISIS Species Holdings. http://app.isis.org/abstracts/abs.asp. (Accessed 20 September 2010)Google Scholar
Johnson, R 1974 Trade-off analysis of consumer values. Journal of Marketing Research May: 121–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3150548CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kerridge, FJ 1996 Behavioural enrichment of ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) based upon a wild-captive comparison of their behaviour. PhD Thesis, University of Manchester, UKGoogle Scholar
Line, SW, Markowitz, H, Morgan, KN and Strong, S 1991 Effects of cage size and environmental enrichment on the behavioral and physiological responses of rhesus macaques to the stress of daily events. In: Novak, MA and Petto, AJ (eds) Through the Looking Glass: Issues of Psychological Well-being in Captive Nonhuman Primates pp 160–179. American Psychological Association: Washington DC, USA. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10080-016CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Line, SW, Morgan, KN, Markowitz, H and Strong, S 1990 Increased cage size does not alter heart rate or behavior in female rhesus monkeys. American Journal of Primatology 20: 107–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350200205CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maki, S and Bloomsmith, MA 1989 Uprooted trees facilitate the psychological well-being of captive chimpanzees. Zoo Biology 8: 79–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430080110CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin, J 2002 Early life experiences: activity levels and abnormal behaviours in re-socialised chimpanzees. Animal Welfare 11: 419–436Google Scholar
Mineka, S and Kelly, KA 1989 The relationship between anxiety, lack of control and loss of control. In: Steptoe, A and Appels, A (eds) Stress, Personal Control and Health. John Wiley & Sons Ltd: Chichester, UKGoogle Scholar
Mitani, JC 1989 Orangutan activity budgets: monthly variations and effect of body size, parturition, and sociality. American Journal of Primatology 18: 87–100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350180203CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morgan, KN and Tromborg, CT 2007 Sources of stress in captivity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 102: 262–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.032CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nakamichi, M, Silldorff, A and Sexton, P 2001 Behavioral responses of an infant gorilla to maternal separation in a captive social group of lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Primates 42: 245–252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02629640CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Research Council 1998 The Psychological Well-being of Nonhuman Primates, Committee on Well-being of Nonhuman Primates. National Academy Press: Washington, USAGoogle Scholar
O’Neill, P 1989 A room with a view for captive primates: issues, goals, related research and strategies. In Segal EF (ed), Housing, Care, and Psychological Wellbeing of Captive and Laboratory Primates pp 135–160. Noyes Publications: Park Ridge, NJ, USAGoogle Scholar
Perkins, LA 1992 Variables that influence the activity of captive orangutans. Zoo Biology 11: 177–186. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430110306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perneger, TV 1998 What's wrong with Bonferroni adjustments. British Medical Journal 316: 1236–1238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7139.1236CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phillips, CJC, Wojciechowska, J, Meng, J and Cross, N 2009 Perceptions of the importance of different welfare issues in livestock production in Australia. Animal 3: 1152–1166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1751731109004479CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pines, MK, Kaplan, G and Rogers, LJ 2007 A note on indoor and outdoor housing preferences of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 108: 348–353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.12.001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poole, TB 1995 Guidelines and legal codes for the welfare of non-human primates in biomedical research. Laboratory Animals 29: 244–249. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002367795781088379CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Popovich, DG and Dierenfeld, ES 1997 Nutrition. In: Ogden, J and Wharton, D (eds) Management of Gorillas in Captivity pp 138–146). Gorilla Species Survival Plan and the Atlanta/Fulton County Zoo Inc: Atlanta, GA, USAGoogle Scholar
Price, EC, Ashmore, LA and McGivern, AM 1994 Reactions of zoo visitors to free-ranging monkeys. Zoo Biology 13: 355–373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430130409CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Price, EE and Stoinski, TS 2007 Group size: determinants in the wild and implications for the captive housing of wild mammals in zoos. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 103: 255–264. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2006.05.021CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reimersa, M, Schwarzenbergera, F and Preuschoft, S 2007 Rehabilitation of research chimpanzees: stress and coping after long-term isolation. Hormones and Behavior 51: 428–435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.12.011CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sambrook, TD and Buchanan-Smith, HM 1997 Control and complexity in novel object enrichment. Animal Welfare 6: 207–216Google Scholar
Savini, T and Bigatti, MP 2000 Nutrition of Gorilla gorilla graueri in captivity. Folia Primatologica 71: 292Google Scholar
Smith, A, Lindburg, DG and Vehrencamp, S 1989 Effect of food preparation on feeding behavior of lion-tailed macaques. Zoo Biology 8: 57–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430080108CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Struck, K, Videan, EN, Fritz, J and Murphy, J 2007 Attempting to reduce regurgitation and reingestion in a captive chimpanzee through increased feeding opportunities: a case study. Laboratory Animals 36: 35–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/laban0107-35CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tarou, L, Kuhar, C, Adcock, D, Bloomsmith, M and Maple, T 2004 Computer-assisted enrichment for zoo-housed orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Animal Welfare 13: 445–453Google Scholar
Traylor-Holzer, K and Fritz, P 1985 Utilization of space by adult and juvenile groups of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Zoo Biology 4: 115–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.1430040205CrossRefGoogle Scholar
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service/Animal Care (USDA-APHIS-AC) 1999 Final Report on Environment Enhancement to Promote the Psychological Wellbeing of Non-Human Primates. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Care: Riverdale, MD, USAGoogle Scholar
Wolfensohn, S and Honess, P 2005 Handbook of Primate Husbandry and Welfare. Blackwell Publishing: Oxford, UK. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9780470752951CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wood, W 1998 Interactions among environmental enrichment, viewing crowds, and zoo chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Zoo Biology 17: 211–230. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI) 1098-2361(1998)17:3<211::AID-ZOO5>3.0.CO;2-C3.0.CO;2-C>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woolverton, WL, Ator, NA, Beardsley, PM and Carroll, ME 1989 Effects of environmental condition on the psychological well-being of primates. A review of the literature. Life Sciences 44: 901–917. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(89)90489-XCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Worstell, C 2003 Reconciling user needs in animal exhibit design: gorilla exhibits as a case study. http://www.zoolex.org/publication/worstell/gorilla/content.html. (Accessed 10 June 2007)Google Scholar
Zubkowicz, R and Kaleta, T 2005 The investigations concerning an evaluation great apes exhibits in selected European zoological gardens. Annals of Warsaw University, SGGW, Animal Science 43: 47–53Google Scholar
Zucker, EL, Mitchell, G and Maple, T 1978 Adult male-offspring play interactions within a captive group of orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Primates 19: 379–384CrossRefGoogle Scholar