Animals in Captivity

Question 1

How can we improve welfare of captive animals?

Answer 1

using ecology, ethology, and clinical animal bhvr

Question 2

How do we improve welfare in captive animals?

Answer 2

• Providing element of CHOICE
• Get zookeepers etc to support this
• Get emotional health good (anxiety = bad)

Question 3

What is ABNORMAL bhvr?

Answer 3

• Performing a normal species-specific behaviour in a wrong context.
• Performing a behaviour that is unseen in the wild – normal vs natural
  behaviour
• Performing a repetitive behaviour that serves no purpose.
• Abnormal repetitive behaviour (ARB) is categorised as repeated goal oriented
  (OCD) or repeated motor function (stereotypies).

Question 4

Describe ARBs (Abnormal Repetitive Behaviour)

Answer 4

• Abno bhvr = coping mechanisms and stopping/preventing bhvr alone can deteriorate animal’s emotional state
• Some species adapt better to captive environments than others
• Complexity of environment, individuality and previous experience contribute to ARBs

Question 5

How can we measure animal welfare in captive wildlife?

Answer 5

• Physiological parameters
• Bhvr observation
• Welfare Assessment rools (Grid 5AWAG), Qualitative Bhvr Assessment (QBA)
• Bhvr measurement
• Ethogram

Question 6

What physiological parameters can we assess?

Answer 6

Hormones
Heterophil:Lymphocyte ratio

Question 7

describe Hormone measurement

Answer 7

Hormones – prolactin, oxytocin, glucocorticoids – Faeces, urine, saliva, hair

*Cortisol, corticosterone levels increase when animal is in a stressful state
*Consider if a realistic measure and convenience

Question 8

Describe Heterophil:Lymphocyte ratio

Answer 8

*WBC’s take longer to response to stress. Therefore, better to detect chronic stress than
corticosterone.
*Stressors like food/h20 deprivation , light exposure, extreme temperature increases
heterophil and depresses lymphocytes.

Question 9

How do we do bhvr measurement

Answer 9

• Manual recording on paper or device using coding
• Video or audio recording followed by manual recording
• Automatic based on bhvr, space, or other

Question 10

Describe an ethogram

Answer 10

• Behaviours are described and coded to record behaviours easily.
• Must be very specific and detailed so its repeatable.
• Eg how would you differentiate a sleeping monkey vs a resting monkey?

Question 11

What methods of Sampling are there ?

Answer 11

Question 12

Recording Rules?

Answer 12

Question 13

What can we do to inc welfare in captive wildlife?

Answer 13

• Optimising environment : -> in complexity, avoid over-complicating - lead to frustration; feeding methods
• Allowing expression of species specific bhvr:
• Provide suitable types of enrichement
• Uses all senses
• Test cognitive skills

Question 14

How do we improve quality of life?

Answer 14

• Training for welfare and health purposes.
  -> *Aim to reduce restraints for routine procedures & Build confidence
• Breeding for adaptability
• Managing emotional health -> Avoid suppression ; Desensitisation + Counter conditioning
• Therapeutic management -> Hormones / Pheromones ;
  Nutraceutical ;
  Psychoactive medication