Access to Multiple Habitats Improves Welfare: A Case Study of Two Zoo-Housed Black Bears (Ursus americanus)

被引:2
作者
Bruno, Kelly [1 ]
Hubbard, Cassidy [2 ]
Lynch, Emily [3 ]
机构
[1] Duke Univ, Nicholas Sch Environm, Durham, NC 27708 USA
[2] North Carolina State Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA
[3] North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC 27205 USA
来源
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS | 2023年 / 4卷 / 01期
关键词
zoo; environmental enrichment; choice and control; animal welfare; American black bear; carnivore; CAPTIVE GIANT PANDAS; ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT; STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOR; ASIAN ELEPHANTS; VISIBILITY; CHOICE; IMPACT; PAIR;
D O I
10.3390/jzbg4010010
中图分类号
X176 [生物多样性保护];
学科分类号
090705 ;
摘要
Using various forms of enrichment, animal care specialists encourage species-specific behaviors and discourage stereotypic behaviors. Within the zoo community, bears (Ursids spp.) are commonly housed, yet are prone to exhibiting stress-related behaviors. Here, we assess the effect of access to multiple habitats, including areas of off guest view, on the welfare of two American black bears (U. americanus) housed at the North Carolina Zoo. In this study, we looked at two behaviors, pacing and foraging to represent negative and positive welfare indicators. We performed logistic regressions to model the effect of access on these behaviors. Because having an animal visible to guests is important to consider when creating management plans, we also explored the effect of access on the bears' visibility. We found that full access reduced the likelihood of pacing by an average of 13% and increased the likelihood of foraging by an average of 5%. Access to multiple areas reduced the probability of visibility by 57% for one individual but did not impact visibility of the other bear. This case study suggests the value of access to zoo animal welfare and should incite future research aimed at exploring the effects of access on various behavioral outcomes.
引用
收藏
页码:87 / 98
页数:12
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