Search

Human-animal interaction (HAI) can be valuable for captive animals, and many zoo-housed species benefit from interactions with their keepers. There is also an increasing body of evidence that some animal species possess personalities that are temporally consistent. However, the majority of zoo research, particularly on personality and HAI, traditionally has focused on mammals, and there are comparatively fewer studies on reptiles. Research was undertaken at the Faunistic Park Le Cornelle, Italy, to investigate the effects of approach tests and food interaction events on 5 male and 5 female Aldabra tortoise ( Aldrabrachelys gigantea ) behavior. During human-tortoise interactions, continuous focal sampling of behavior took place. The behavioral differences between individual tortoises, interaction type (approach or training) and person involved in the interaction (keeper, vet, or observer) were analysed using general linear mixed-effects models. The personality components of the tortoises were also quantified using principal component analysis. Overall, the study revealed that individuals acted significantly differently to one another, and that while females initially appeared to display a greater number of shy behaviors, this was not consistent across the group. PCA revealed two personality dimensions in the tortoises: boldness and avoidance. Overall, the study revealed that the tortoises possessed personalities that were independent of sex or scenario. The study also revealed that many tortoises chose to interact with their keepers during training and approach tests: this suggests that human-tortoise interactions may have some enrichment value. Future research could quantify tortoise personality in other scenarios such as in social interactions with other tortoises.

Turtles are suspected to be involved in the epidemiology of Leptospira ; however, data about the dissemination of this zoonotic pathogen among chelonians are scant. In the present study, the serum samples collected from 49 Trachemys scripta elegans living in a natural park of northern Italy were tested by a microagglutination test to measure detectable antibodies against different Leptospira serovars. Three (6.12%) turtles had agglutinins to the serovar Tarassovi, suggesting that they were exposed to the spirochaetes. Currently, it is not clear if Leptospira can cause disease in chelonians or if these animals can serve as reservoirs of leptospirae. Considering that chelonians often share the same environment with other animals and humans, and considering the One Health perspective, investigations to better understand the role of chelonians as a source of Leptospira infection are necessary.