Search

The effect of visitor presence on animal behavior needs to be evaluated to ensure the welfare and improve the husbandry of the individuals in zoos. This study aims to assess the effect of visitor presence on the behavior and welfare of pairs of Amur tiger, snow leopard, and Eurasian lynx at Parco Natura Viva, Italy. The study was made of two periods: the baseline, in which the zoo was closed, and the visitor presence period, in which the zoo was opened. Per period and per subject 12 30‐min observations were done. Continuous focal animal sampling method was used to collect behavior duration of the big cats. The main results of the study highlighted that, when visitors were present, all felids except for the female lynx were significantly more inactive than in the baseline. Moreover, despite interindividual and inter‐species variability in the significance level of findings, natural behaviors such as attentive behavior, exploration/marking, locomotion, and positive social interactions were performed more in the baseline than in the visitor presence period. Finally, when visitors were present, as the studied subjects experienced daily longer exposure to visitors, inactivity increased whereas individual species‐typical behaviors (e.g., locomotion) and positive social interactions decreased. Thus, visitors seem to partially alter the behavioral time‐budgets of the study big cats, increasing inactivity and decreasing the performance of species‐specific behavior, at least in some individuals. Highlights: We compared individual and social behaviors of zoo big cats in the absence and in the presence of visitors.In the presence of visitors, big cats showed higher levels of inactivity and decreased performance of natural behaviors.We reported interindividual and inter‐specific variation in behavioral changes due to visitors' presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global decline of species necessitates intensive conservation efforts, including ex-situ breeding programs to safeguard endangered populations. However, managing welfare and reproduction in zoological gardens can present several challenges. This study aims to explore behaviors and endocrinological responses of two specimens of fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) under human care. One hundred and twenty hours of observation through focal animal sampling continuous recording and 67 fecal samples were collected. From fecal samples, cortisol (FCM), progesterone (FPM), and testosterone (FTM) metabolites' concentrations were analyzed using Radio Immuno Assay. According to our results, higher FTM (p < 0.05) and FPM levels at the beginning of the study, showing a potential alignment with the breeding season. When the male entered the female outdoor area, he recorded longer durations of seeking and marking behaviors (p ≤ 0.01), along with lower FCM levels (p < 0.05), suggesting an enriching effect. In the same period, the female's FCM level was higher (p ≤ 0.01), indicating potential stress. When both animals were in their respective outdoor areas, the FCM level of the female remained significantly higher (p < 0.05), and the male showed a peak in pacing duration (p < 0.01), implying a potential stress or frustration status. In her indoor area, the female exhibited significantly shorter durations of locomotion, marking, and seeking (p < 0.01) and did not show any abnormal behavior, likely due to the reduced complexity of the environment. However, we cannot exclude that her complete visual and olfactory separation from the male and visitors may also have contributed to a decrease in her overall stress levels. The findings highlight the interplay between hormonal fluctuations and behavioral responses in the two zoo-housed fossa, providing essential insights for fostering their well-being and facilitating conservation efforts., (© 2024 The Author(s). Zoo Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)