ABSTRACT

The human factor is one of the major determinants of animal welfare in zoos. Assessing changes in activity patterns, behavior and space use due to human presence might help understanding visitors’ influence on these animal welfare indicators. In Córdoba (Argentina), we assessed the activity pattern and behavior of Tamandua tetradactyla (lesser anteaters; n = 5) during natural light/dark phases and the animals’ use of space. We analyzed responses of lesser anteaters to humans in days open to the public (Sundays and Tuesdays) and days closed to the public (Mondays), collecting data at 5-minute intervals during 12 days, for each animal. Data were analyzed at two temporal scales: a 24 h period and visiting hours. Multivariate analyses showed no differences in activity pattern, behavior and space use among days, exhibiting a consistent response of each individual over the studied days. Principal Component Analysis showed differences between female and male behaviors. Based on these results, the visitor effect on these lesser anteaters would appear to be neutral, indicating that the presence of visitors is at most, a minor concern in the housing and management of these individuals in Córdoba Zoo.

摘要

人为因素是动物园动物福利的主要决定因素之一。评估由于人类的存在而导致的活动模式，行为和空间使用的变化可能有助于理解访客对这些动物福利指标的影响。在科尔多瓦（阿根廷），我们评估了Tamandua tetradactyla的活动模式和行为（较小的食蚁兽； n = 5）在自然光/黑暗阶段以及动物对空间的使用中。我们分析了在公众开放日（周日和周二）和公众开放日（周一）的食蚁兽对人类的响应，每只动物在12天内每5分钟收集一次数据。在两个时间尺度上分析数据：24小时周期和探视时间。多变量分析显示，各天之间的活动模式，行为和空间使用没有差异，在研究的每一天中，每个人的反应都一致。主成分分析显示男女行为之间存在差异。根据这些结果，访客对这些较小食蚁兽的影响似乎是中性的，表明访客的存在最多，