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The behavioral effects of exhibit size versus complexity in African elephants: A potential solution for smaller spaces
Zoo Biology ( IF 1.3 ) Pub Date : 2019-07-04 , DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21506
Nancy L Scott 1 , Chase A LaDue 1, 2
Affiliation  

Population-level analyses suggest that habitat complexity, but not necessarily space availability, has important welfare outcomes for elephants in human care. At the Dallas Zoo, the opening of a new exhibit complex allowed us to measure the behavior of two female African elephants across three treatments to evaluate the independent effects of complexity and space. Preoccupancy observations were conducted in the elephants' older exhibit, which consisted of a smaller, more simple yard (630 m2 ). Subsequent postoccupancy observations measured behavior in two different spaces in the new exhibit: a larger, complex yard (15,000 m2 ), and a smaller, but complex yard (1,520 m2 ). The elephants' overall activity levels were greater in complex habitats, regardless of their size. Similar effects of habitat complexity oversize were observed with greater rates of foraging and lower rates of being stationary. Furthermore, elephants were out of view of visitors significantly more in the small, simple yard compared to either of the more complex habitats. However, exhibit size affected the incidence of stereotypic behavior (with lower rates of stereotypy in the larger exhibit compared to the smaller yards) and investigatory behavior (elephants investigated their environments more with increasing size and complexity). Behavioral diversity also increased with exhibit size and complexity. These results indicate that space availability alone is not sufficient to enhance the behavioral welfare of zoo elephants. Therefore, facilities with limited space can still encourage species-appropriate behaviors and improved welfare for the elephants in their care by converting a small, simple area into a more complex habitat.

中文翻译:

非洲大象展品大小与复杂性的行为影响:较小空间的潜在解决方案

人口水平分析表明,栖息地的复杂性,但不一定是空间可用性,对人类护理中的大象具有重要的福利结果。在达拉斯动物园,一个新展览综合体的开放使我们能够测量两只非洲雌象在三种处理中的行为,以评估复杂性和空间的独立影响。先占观察是在大象的旧展览中进行的,该展览由一个更小、更简单的院子(630 平方米)组成。随后的入住后观察测量了新展览中两个不同空间的行为:一个更大的复杂院子(15,000 平方米)和一个较小但复杂的院子(1,520 平方米)。大象在复杂的栖息地中的整体活动水平更高,无论它们的大小如何。栖息地复杂性过大的类似影响观察到更高的觅食率和更低的静止率。此外,与任何一个更复杂的栖息地相比,大象在这个小而简单的院子里明显更多地不在游客的视野中。然而,展品的大小会影响刻板行为的发生率(与较小的码相比,较大的展品中的刻板印象率较低)和调查行为(大象随着规模和复杂性的增加而更多地调查他们的环境)。行为多样性也随着展览的规模和复杂性而增加。这些结果表明,仅凭可用空间不足以提高动物园大象的行为福利。所以,
更新日期:2019-07-04
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