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Simple Summary: At zoos, paying attention to animal welfare during interactive activities between exhibited animals and visitors is becoming increasingly necessary. Many zoos in Japan conduct petting activities where people place guinea pigs on their laps, but it is necessary to encourage participants to be aware of the welfare of the animals. The experience of involvement among the participants are involved in together plays an important role in promoting animal welfare. This study showed that changes in body temperature measured with a digital ear thermometer for human infants may be used as a physiological indicator. In addition, by simultaneously measuring the expression of negative behavior and stress hormones in guinea pigs and correlating it with changes in body temperature, it is possible to determine which types of interaction are or are not burdensome to guinea pigs. However, more data are needed to clarify the relationships between behavior, body temperature changes, and stress hormones. Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are used for interactive activities in zoos; therefore, it is important to investigate their welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of measuring the guinea pigs' body temperature of guinea pigs through the ear canal and investigate the relationship among changes in the expression of negative behavior, changes in body temperature, and changes in salivary cortisol concentration, and examine the effects of different interactive activities. In the normal interactive activities performed at the site, the decreased body temperature of pigs was observed over time. In contrast, increased body temperature was observed in excessive interactive activities, which are not recommended. Among the negative behaviors, "Head turning" and "Locomotion" increased significantly in excessive interactions compared to normal interactions, but "Head tossing" decreased significantly over time in both types of interactions. "Freezing" was observed only in excessive interactions. Salivary cortisol concentration increased significantly for all activities. Investigating the relationship between the individual expression of negative behavior and changes in body temperature and changes cortisol level made it possible to uncover the potential for inferring an animal's physiological state. Combining ear temperature monitoring and behavioral observation during zoo interaction activities is recommended as an ethical and scientifically supported practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are used for interactive activities in zoos; therefore, it is important to investigate their welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the validity of measuring the guinea pigs’ body temperature of guinea pigs through the ear canal and investigate the relationship among changes in the expression of negative behavior, changes in body temperature, and changes in salivary cortisol concentration, and examine the effects of different interactive activities. In the normal interactive activities performed at the site, the decreased body temperature of pigs was observed over time. In contrast, increased body temperature was observed in excessive interactive activities, which are not recommended. Among the negative behaviors, “Head turning” and “Locomotion” increased significantly in excessive interactions compared to normal interactions, but “Head tossing” decreased significantly over time in both types of interactions. “Freezing” was observed only in excessive interactions. Salivary cortisol concentration increased significantly for all activities. Investigating the relationship between the individual expression of negative behavior and changes in body temperature and changes cortisol level made it possible to uncover the potential for inferring an animal’s physiological state. Combining ear temperature monitoring and behavioral observation during zoo interaction activities is recommended as an ethical and scientifically supported practice.