Can access to multiple habitats improve behaviour and welfare in zoo-housed black bears? A case study in JZBG investigated:
✔ Full access to multiple habitats decreased likelihood of pacing and increased likelihood of foraging in two black bears.
✔ Visibility of the animals decreased for one bear but not the other.
✔ Results suggest a positive effect of access to multiple areas on welfare.

A research published in JZBG looked into the potential effects of background colour (i.e. green, grey, black, transparent) on the behaviour of captive Lake Oku clawed frogs:
✔ Initial stress response to changes in background, which disappeared after five days.
✔ Different background colours did not differently affect stress behaviour, BUT...
✔ Green & grey backgrounds elicited the weakest stress response to background change.
✔ Applications to zoo management & husbandry.

A study published in the JZBG investigated the potential effects of an evening event on the behaviour of zoo-housed giraffes, capybaras, tapirs and vicugnas:
✔ Capybara spent more time out of sight before rather than during or after event (only significant difference observed).
✔ No substantial negative effects of the event detected.
✔ Free access to indoor & outdoor areas (all but giraffe) may have helped animals coping with event.

How does a more complex exhibit (two enclosures connected by trail system) affect the behaviour of zoo-housed tigers? A new paper in Zoo Biology investigated:
✔ Increase in activity & exploratory behaviours.
✔ Decrease in inactivity and pacing.
✔ Nocturnal activity also increased in more complex enclosure.
✔ Higher nocturnal movement between 6 and 10 pm, showing similar patterns with their wild counterparts.
✔ Voluntary access to larger and more complex enclosures improves behaviour & welfare in captive tigers.

The nocturnal behaviour of zoo-housed lesser flamingos was investigated in a paper in JZBG:
✔ Higher proportions of active birds at dusk than in the morning.
✔ Diverse enclosure use, with outdoor & indoor areas used by different birds at different times of the day.
✔ Potential changing needs for flamingos housed indoors overnight and those with access to an outdoor area at night time. 
✔ Behavioural monitoring over 24-h period is an important step to understand the welfare and needs of captive birds.

A case study in Zoo Biology looked into the pacing behaviour of a zoo-housed polar bear:
✔Most of pacing observations occurred when door to shift animal off-exhibit was opened.
✔Positive reinforcement-based training applied to modify behaviour.
✔Pacing bout duration decreased significantly.
✔Pacing was inadvertently reinforced by routine rather than poor welfare.

The behaviour of three zoo-housed testudine species (radiated, leopard & Aldabra tortoises) was monitored before & after changes in their environment, in a study published in JZBG:
✔ Changes included increase in enclosure size, addition of substrate material & change in handling procedure.
✔ No significant changes in Shannon–Weiner diversity index, but numerical increases observed.
✔ Leopard tortoises experienced greater changes in the environment AND responded with greater changes in the behaviour.
✔ Increase in aggression observed (potential negative effect).
✔ Impact of changes on welfare is inconclusive but some evidence of an increase in behavioural diversity.

A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science looked into self-directed behaviours (potential stress indicator) of semi-captive African elephants during five levels of tourist interactions (none, feed, touch, walk, ride):
✔Self-directed behaviours increased during walks and rides, BUT⤵
✔Decreased during touch & were unaffected by feeds - control & ability to move away in these interactions were positive to welfare;
✔No correlation between self-directed behaviours & faecal glucocorticoid metabolites - low-level stress that does not activate GC production?
✔Lower incidence of self-directed behaviours in high tourist numbers - due to higher food amounts?

A paper in JZBG validated a welfare assessment tool for an understudied species, the common cusimanse:
✔The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) was adapted;

✔As published literature was limited, zoo records & captive behavioural observations were needed to complement information;
✔21 welfare factors identified;
✔Tool validated by assessing welfare of four zoo-housed cusimanses;
✔Applications to other understudied species.

A paper in the American Journal of Primatology investigated whether five zoo-housed primate species retreated with an increase in visitor numbers:
✔Allen's swamp monkeys, eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys, Bolivian gray titi monkeys, DeBrazza's monkeys & crowned lemurs;
✔Animals did not retreat as visitor numbers increased;
✔Small but statistically significant decrease in distance with increasing visitor numbers;
✔Behavioural welfare indicators unaffected by number of visitors;
✔Proximity to visitors may be a useful indicator for welfare assessments.

Does the presence or absence of visitors have an effect on captive chimpanzee wounding? A study in JZBG looked into it:
✔ 21 chimpanzees across 3 zoos;
✔ Frequency of "no wound" events compared in the presence and total absence of visitors;
✔ Frequencies were similar across conditions, suggesting presence of visitors did not influence wounding behaviour.

How do zoo visitors perceive reptile & amphibian welfare? A study in JZAR looked into it:
✔ Perceptions of herptile welfare influenced by comfort level with animal,  its perceived likeability & previous experiences with the animal;
✔ Number of annual visits to the zoo can also influence perceptions;
✔ Visitors ranked size of enclosure lower than other welfare objectives - preference for larger enclosures?
✔ Visitors perceive zoos are meeting physical needs of herptiles but can improve in meeting their affective needs.

The space use of five captive elasmobranch species was evaluated in a new study in JZBG:
✔ Enclosure divided in five sections: Exhibit use (X-Y axis) and Depth use (Z axis);
✔ Despite differences between individuals, Exhibit use was relatively even, while Depth use was uneven.
✔ Results as expected according to each species' natural history, except for the smooth dogfish, which required further interventions;
✔ Space use can be a valuable tool in animal welfare assessments.

The behaviour of two zoo-housed pairs of red pandas was studied in a paper published in JZBG...
✔No abnormal behaviours reported; 
✔Time budgets similar to those reported for the species;
✔Resting, comfort & vigilance behaviours most frequent;
✔Behavioural Variety Index (BVI) showed each animal performed approximately 73% of behaviours described for the species.
✔BVI may be a useful tool for animal welfare assessments & behavioural studies.

A review on bird welfare in zoos and aquariums has been published in JZBG:

✔ Bird welfare research can be informed by research from other industries;
✔ More research on a wider range of bird species & research topics recommended.

In a study in JZBG, the behaviour of zoo-housed Mexican red kneed spiders was monitored in the 24 hours after handling for education sessions:
✔ Time spent under-cover & in limb-interaction behaviour higher on handling days;

✔ Handling significantly affected behaviour - more research needed to determine welfare implications;
✔ Protocols for the handling of invertebrates in education sessions should be developed and/or refined.

A comparison of social behaviours between free-living and captive American alligators was published in JZBG:
✔Frequency of social behaviours was much higher in the wild congregation;
✔Wild congregation also showed a richer social behavioural repertoire;
✔"High walking" - a non-social behaviour & potential stereotypy - was most frequent in the captive congregation;  
✔"Flushing" was used as a defense reaction to human disturbance in both congregations.

An investigation into lying rest behaviour of zoo-housed elephants was published in Zoo Biology:
✔ Longer lying durations in elephants housed on soft substrates;
✔ Dominance status also affected lying rest;
✔ Higher frequency of side changes between lying bouts on soft substrates;
✔ Soft substrates & healthy social environments seem to improve lying rest behaviours & welfare.

A recent study, published in Zoo Biology, compared animal welfare conceptions between animal caretakers, visitors & veterinary staff:
✔ Strong correlation between the animal carers' holistic welfare assessments & the visitor perceptions of animal happiness;
✔ These assessments did, however, inversely correlate with the assessments by the veterinary staff;
✔ Visitor perceptions of animal happiness strongly correlated with their enjoyment of zoo visits; 
✔ Clarification of animal welfare concepts among zoo staff is recommended;
✔ Improving animal welfare also benefits the visitor experience & therefore the zoo's commercial aims.

The effects of social housing on the stereotypical behaviour of bull Asian elephants were investigated in a study published in JZBG:

✔ Decrease in stereotypies (both pacing & head bobbing) when housed with at least other elephant;

✔ Decrease in stereotypies as affiliative behaviours increased while agonistic behaviour had no effect;

✔ Pacing was higher when lone bulls were in musth;

✔ Social housing may improve welfare of bull Asian elephants in captivity.

A preliminary study published in Zoo Biology investigated if and how several zoo animals were impacted by a concert:
✔Some species showed behavioural changes correlated with the event (mostly associated with active & resting behaviours);
✔No behavioural changes detected in several species;
✔Differences between species highlights need to monitor behaviour during events & to consider each species natural biology when trying to mitigate their effects;

A paper in JZBG compared enclosure use in zoo-housed flamingos using data collected at group- and individual-level:

✔Overall preferred zone occupancy was similar between methods;

✔Individual data showed wider use of enclosure than group data;

✔Individual data suggested zone underuse, while group data suggested zone overuse;

✔Both methods should be used for more accurate assessments of enclosure use and welfare.

A paper in Zoo Biology looked into the potential effects of Denver Zoo's "Zoo Lights" evening event on the behaviour and welfare of the great Indian hornbills in their care:

✔No significant increase in aggressive behaviour during or after the event;

✔Affiliative behaviours increased, but likely because it coincided with breeding season and not because of the event;

✔Applications to zoo management.

A study in JZAR evaluated a gorilla welfare assessment tool based on keeper ratings:

✔Welfare of two groups of zoo-housed gorillas monitored daily for three months (keeper ratings and behavioural observations)

✔Keepers detected more subtle changes in welfare than researchers in previous studies;

✔Despite good inter-rater reliability, keeper scores did not always match behavioural observations - more training, staff meetings & longer observations recommended.

A paper in JZAR described the physiological (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites - FGMs) & behavioural responses of two zoo-housed giraffes to construction work:
✔Higher FGMs in both giraffes during initial demolition phase;
✔One individual also showed higher FGMs, decreased inactivity and increased stereotypies during active construction phase,
✔One of the giraffes became ill and was euthanised, which caused changes in the behaviour & physiology of the other one;
✔Construction work and loss of social partner were sources of stress - applications to giraffe management.

A paper in JZBG investigated behaviour & habitat use in zoo-housed bears over multi-year periods:

✔2 zoos, 5 species, 9 individuals;

✔Activity budgets diverse & dynamic over time (more so in younger individuals);

✔Habitat use decreased over time;

✔Changes in behaviour associated with decreased welfare likely related with age or seasonality rather than habitat;

✔Changes associated with positive welfare observed - frequent daily variation in behaviour & rare stereotypies;

A paper in Zoo Biology investigated regurgitation & reingestion (R/R) and coprophagy behaviours in the gorilla North American (captive) population:
✔Survey competed by all AZA-accredited institutions with gorillas in their collection;
✔60% of population engages in R/R to some degree;
✔24% engages in coprophagy on a weekly basis;
✔Future research should focus on identifying drivers of these behaviours, so evidence-based actions can be taken to mitigate them.

A study in Zoo Biology investigated differences in the behaviour of ♂ Japanese macaques in a vegetated and in a non-vegetated enclosure:

✔Vegetated: Better coat conditions, more social play and feeding-related behaviours, less resting;

✔Non-vegetated: More stereotypic behaviours & agonistic interactions;

✔Findings suggest better welfare in vegetated enclosure, highlighting importance of recreating some features of natural habitat.

A new paper in Applied Animal Behaviour Science investigated the impact of enclosure size on corn snake behaviour and welfare:

✔Snakes more active in a large enclosure (longer than snake length) than in a small enclosure (2/3 of snake length);

✔Snakes stretched out in the large enclosure, spending almost 20% of resting time in this position (no opportunity for this behaviour in small enclosure);

✔"Loosely coiled" posture significantly higher in large enclosure;

✔Preference tests: active snakes preferred large enclosure;

✔Enclosure longer than snake length is recommended to improve behaviour and welfare of captive corn snakes.

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Photo: Exmor Zoo

A study in JZBG investigated the behavioural responses of two captive female African elephants to temporary separation from other two herd members as they were being transported to other zoo:

✔Elephants travelled to the other zoo in two pairs: a mother-daughter pair & and an unrelated but bonded pair of females (short gap between transports);

✔The mother-daughter pair showed an increase in human-audible vocalisations, temporal gland secretions & decrease in play behaviour when the other pair left ahead of them;

✔Despite being mostly unrelated, the group showed similar signs of stress as expected if the group was highly related;

✔Applications to elephant management.

Last week we shared the news that the results of the largest-ever captive cetacean welfare study were out... Here is an overview of their findings, published in Plos One:

✔Four species: Common & Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, beluga whale & Pacific white-sided dolphin;

✔Data collected at 43 institutions between 2018 and 2019;

✔Reference values established for blood variables and fecal hormone metabolites available in app ZooPhysioTrak;

✔Enrichment & social management showed higher impact on welfare than habitat characteristics;

✔Applications to cetacean management & welfare in captivity.

A study in JZAR discussed the impact of two interventions (relocation to a less dynamic pool & individualised feeding & conditioning method) on the behaviour of a captive female smooth dogfish:

✔Reduction of stereotypic behaviours after interventions;

✔Increase in species-specific & resting behaviours;

✔Increase in enclosure use;

✔Small sample size & more research recommended but interesting findings with applications to fish management & welfare.

New study in JZBG surveyed the global zoo husbandry practices for the fossa:

✔All animals receive enrichment & most have at least an area away from visitors but majority express unnatural behaviours;

✔Unnatural behaviour may be reduced with dense cover, restricted public viewing areas, variable feeding schedule & reduced view of other species;

✔41% of surveyed "breeding individuals" have bred at the zoo;

✔Important applications to fossa husbandry & welfare.

A study in Zoo Biology investigated the impacts of human-dolphin interactions on both bottlenose dolphins and the visitors:

✔Human participants reported a sense of attachment to the animals after interaction -applications to conservation education?

✔Dolphins showed no significant changes in behaviour - neutral effect on their welfare?

✔Small sample size - further research required.

A new paper in JZBG investigated the applications of DNA damage as an indicator of animal welfare in three zoo-housed grizzly bears:

✔DNA damage significantly increased with adrenal activity (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites);

✔Relationship between DNA damage and social affiliative behaviours varied between individuals;

✔Potential for DNA damage to be used in animal welfare assessments, but further research & validation required.

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Photo credit: Detroit Zoo

A study in JZAR looked into behaviour & locomotion of the Asian elephants at Dublin Zoo, using CCTV footage:

✔Mean daily distance travelled (9.35 km/day) comparable to wild individuals (5-10 km/day);

✔50% of time spent foraging & 18% spent moving;

✔Locomotion & behaviour in these elephants closer to wild than previous zoo studies;

✔CCTV footage offers opportunities for behavioural research.

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Photo credit: Dublin Zoo

A study in in JZBG looked into social relationships and maternal care in zoo-housed bottlenose dolphins:

✔Affiliative behaviours were dominant;

✔Strong mother-calf associations through 2nd and 3rd years of life;

✔Some individuals kept preferred associations, while others changed;

✔No large reductions in associations observed - strong relationships between individuals.

A study in JZBG described the application of an acoustic monitoring system for captive bottlenose dolphins:

✔Software automatically compares acoustic behaviour of dolphins with past records;

✔Changes in acoustic behaviour can be detected - health & welfare problems?

✔Can help identifying problematic acoustic sources for the dolphins;

✔Applications to welfare monitoring of dolphins in zoos & aquariums.

How does rearing environment affect the behaviour of captive Chilean flamingos? A new study in JZBG compared foster-reared and parent-reared chicks:

✔Foster-reared chicks: less time feeding, fewer preferred associations and more likely to occupy nesting area;

✔Social bonds were equally strong and durable in both foster-reared & parent-reared chicks;

✔Cross-fostering has limited impacts on behavioural and social development.

A study in JZBG looked into visitor effects on zoo-housed Nile crocodiles:

✔Behaviour was significantly affected by time of day, temperature & month;

✔Visitor effects on behaviour were found to be small/neutral.

✔Environmental variables should be considered when assessing behaviour and welfare in zoo-housed reptiles.

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Photo credit: David R. Tribble (Nile crocodiles at Disney's Animal Kingdom).

A paper in Applied Animal Behaviour Science investigated whether questionnaires can be used to reliably assess and monitor the welfare of captive killer whales:

✔Results validated questionnaires as an accurate welfare assessment tool for captive orcas;

✔High correlation between personality, welfare & subjective well-being;

✔Findings were similar to previous research on primates.

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Photo credit: Loro Parque

A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, authored by our very own Ricardo, investigated what husbandry & management practices were affecting mouse deer breeding & behaviour in European zoos:

✔Vegetation cover positively affected breeding, activity & natural behaviours;

✔Water ponds and enrichment also had positive effects on activity & natural behaviours;

✔Close proximity between males and females negatively impacted breeding;

✔Diet and temperature they are housed in is likely suboptimal and requires further research;

✔Mouse deer benefit from complex enclosures, with ample vegetation, natural features and opportunities to avoid conspecifics.

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Photo credit: Copenhagen Zoo

Research in  JZBG looked into the effects of construction work on the behaviour of zoo-housed lions:

✔During construction: increased pacing (male), decreased resting (all three lions);

✔Sound & ground vibrations more likely to have been the stressors;

✔No long-term effects - behavioural changes not detected one year later;

✔Mitigation measures suggested.

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Photo credit: Chester Zoo

A new study in JZAR looked into the activity budgets of zoo-housed Patagonian maras:

✔"Resting", "Feeding" & "Alert" were the most frequent behaviours;

✔High behavioural synchrony between mates;

✔Available data from wild individuals suggested a positive behavioural activity in these captive individuals.

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Photo credit: Hat.net

Noise at the zoo is a concern for animal welfare. Study in Zoo Biology assessed the soundscape (infrasounds and ultrasounds) of Zoo de Granby:

✔Sound levels increased during the day & with visitors present;

✔Sound levels generally not problematic for animal welfare;

✔Some locations showed high sound levels (e.g. indoor areas & touristic features);

✔Mitigation actions proposed.

A study investigated individual & synchronous breathing rate variations in three captive cetacean species:

✔Highest rates during energetic & social behaviours;

✔Higher rates during unusual events;

✔Enrichment: lower individual but higher synchronous rates;

✔Higher rates for ONE of the species in presence of public & during social separation;

✔Breathing rates are a useful parameter BUT should be interpreted carefully & integrated with other indicators.

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Photo credit: Baiji Dolphinarium

New study assessed the welfare improvements of the Asian elephants at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, using data from their species-specific behavioural monitoring programme. Some of their findings include:
✔Species-appropriate levels of feeding;
✔Low levels of stereotypic behaviours;
✔Rare agonistic behaviour between group members;
✔Positive social associations & interactions between group members.

There is a new published paper on zoo husbandry practices in lechwe - a wetlands social antelope that is understudied in captivity:
✔Similar male:female ratios in captive and wild herds;
✔Enclosures usually included wetland areas, which were rarely managed;
✔Vegetation cover was limited;
✔Similar diets between zoos, but different from guidelines;
✔Abnormal behaviours reported but causes not identified.

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Photo credit: San Diego Zoo

The Five Domains Model of animal welfare assessment has just been updated in a new paper:
✔Five Domains: (1) Nutrition, (2) Physical Environment, (3) Health, (4) Behavioural Interactions, (5) Mental State;
✔Update adds human-animal interactions to the model;
✔Applicable to all animal caretakers, including zoo keepers, researchers & veterinary staff!

A new study has proposed a health & welfare assessment tool for the Giant Pacific octopus:

✔ Categories assessed: external appearance, behaviour & signs of stress and disease;

✔ Severity score system;

✔ Upward trend in score identified within 3-4 weeks of death - predictor?

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Photo credit: Aquarium of the Bay

New study investigated activity patterns in two zoo-housed grizzly bears:
✔Most inactivity recorded in winter;
✔Stereotypies and general activity emerged in spring and summer;
✔Stereotypies more frequent in the morning.