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Davila-Ross M, Pople H, Gibson V, Nathan SKSS, Goossens B, Stark DJ. An Approaching Motor Boat Induces Stress-Related Behaviors in Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) Living in a Riparian Area. INT J PRIMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00277-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPrimate ecotourism is a fast-growing tourism sector that may have a negative effect on wildlife. In riparian areas, tourists can conveniently reach primates via motor boats, but no study has directly examined whether such boats cause stress in primates. Our goal was to test whether the approach of a motor boat induces stress-related and other behaviors in proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), an Endangered species. We studied six one-male, multifemale groups living in a remote riparian area in Sabah, Malaysia, and conducted an experiment by approaching the monkeys in a motor boat by using three conditions with different speeds and travel distances (fast-close, slow-close, and slow-far conditions; 7-8 subjects per condition). For each condition, we compared stress-related behaviors before the boat approach with after the boat started approaching. Feeding, allogrooming and aggression were similarly examined, respectively. We also observed the monkeys’ behaviors at other times to examine age-sex classes differences in vigilance, social proximity, allogrooming, aggression and play (87 subjects). In the experiment, subjects displayed stress-related behaviors for longer in the fast-close and slow-close conditions once the boat started approaching than before the boat approach. The subjects also reduced feeding in the fast-close condition after the boat started approaching. In our observational study, males were more vigilant than females—a behavior that is likely to relate to male-male competition and group protection. This study provides evidence that even a single motor boat moving slowly, with humans behaving calmly, may negatively affect primate behavior and induce stress—an impact that is likely to be larger with tourist boats. Our study also shows that using conditions comparable to the slow-far condition (speed of 3.6 km/hr; no closer than 60 m), where no impact was observed, may help with to develop guidelines for primate tourism in riparian areas. Future research that examines the impact of boats on other primates is needed.
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Emmett C, Digby M, Pope J, Williams E. Social Behaviour in Zoo Bachelor Groups: A Case Study of Related South American Fur Seals. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092682. [PMID: 34573648 PMCID: PMC8467151 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Appropriate management of social groups is one of the greatest challenges that face zoos and aquaria worldwide. All-male social groups provide an opportunity for facilities to house surplus males in groups which optimise their welfare whilst they are being retained for future use in breeding programmes. Here, we investigated social behaviour in a relatively poorly studied species, the South American fur seal (SAFS). Four individuals housed in a related group were studied over a 6-month period. The results showed that their social relationships changed over time, although the individuals always engaged in more positive than negative interactions. We recommend establishing baseline social behaviour profiles of individuals to enable long-term monitoring of SAFS social groups, as has been recommended in other species. This will enable enhanced understanding of South American fur seals and will contribute to the development of evidence-based social management guidelines for this species. Abstract Appropriate management of social groups is one of the greatest challenges that face zoos and aquaria worldwide. To facilitate breeding programmes, particularly in polygynous species, there is a need to house surplus males in bachelor groups, yet for pinnipeds, the social impact of this management strategy is unknown. The aim of this research was to enhance understanding of sociality in South American fur seals (SAFSs), with a particular focus on social dynamics in a related bachelor group, and consider implications for evidence-based management of this species in zoos. The subjects were four related male seals housed at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Social interaction and nearest neighbour data were collected between February and July 2019. Individuals engaged in both positive and negative social interactions. Positive interactions were more frequent than negative interactions, and no excessive negative interactions were observed. Temporal dynamics were observed in social relationships, and negative interactions did not increase with the onset of the breeding season. Reciprocity in dyadic relationships was variable across the study months, and nearest neighbours were not necessarily reflective of social partners. This research highlights the importance of longitudinal monitoring of social relationships and establishment of baseline social behaviour profiles to support evidence-based species management. We advocate that this research is extended, to further develop our understanding of SAFS social needs within zoo environments, to understand the differences between single-sex and mixed-sex groups and to identify the degree to which the extensive research conducted in other polygynous species (e.g., gorillas) is applicable in the social management of South American fur seals moving forwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christa Emmett
- Department of Field Conservation & Science, Bristol Zoological Society, Bristol BS8 3HA, UK; or
| | - Mathilda Digby
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK or (M.D.); (J.P.)
| | - Jemma Pope
- Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK or (M.D.); (J.P.)
| | - Ellen Williams
- Department of Field Conservation & Science, Bristol Zoological Society, Bristol BS8 3HA, UK; or
- Correspondence:
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Orient E, Guillén-Salazar F. Evaluation of social compatibility in an all-male group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) by means of social network analysis. Zoo Biol 2021; 41:84-93. [PMID: 34498293 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The study here presented provides preliminary data regarding social compatibility of an all-male group of five chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), assessed by means of a social network analysis (SNA). The study was conducted at the Fundació Mona (Girona, Spain), where data on social behavior were collected in two consecutive 2-week periods using continuous focal animal sampling for a total of 72 h of observation. Our results show the study group is socially compatible: males showed high levels of affiliative behaviors (grooming) and low levels of aggressive behaviors (displacement, display, physical aggression, supplantation). In addition, these results remained stable during the two study periods. Likewise, the most central individuals in the affiliative and aggressive networks were identified, showing slight variations depending on the period of the study. Therefore, the information obtained suggests that placing male chimpanzees in all-male groups could be a potential option for the management of surplus males. The results also provide support regarding the positive contribution of social assessment to the management of captive primate groups. In this regard, SNA seems to be a useful tool to evaluate the groups' social behavior and to identify its key individuals. In addition, these results allow us to draw up a set of recommendations before the formation of an all-male group, but also to assess their compatibility once groups have been formed. As a whole, the results of this study could improve the management of endangered species like chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Orient
- Ethology and Animal Welfare Section, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Federico Guillén-Salazar
- Ethology and Animal Welfare Section, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
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Yamanashi Y, Nemoto K, Alejandro J. Social relationships among captive male pygmy slow lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus): Is forming male same-sex pairs a feasible management strategy? Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23233. [PMID: 33503325 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the social behavior of pygmy slow lorises, in particular, the social relationships of same-sex individuals have rarely been investigated. The Slow Loris Conservation Center was built at the Japan Monkey Center to enhance the welfare of confiscated slow lorises, promote their conservation, improve public education, and perform scientific research on the species. In the course of improving housing conditions, several same-sex pairs of pygmy slow lorises were formed. We monitored their behaviors and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) levels to understand whether male same-sex pairings could be a feasible management strategy. The subjects were 10 male and 6 female lorises for comparison, all of whom were over 5 years old. We successfully formed five pairs of male lorises after eight formation attempts. Male pairs initially showed some aggressive behaviors; however, the rate decreased approximately 10 days after introduction. All of the male pairs eventually exhibited extensive affiliative social behaviors, including allogrooming and social play, during the dark (active) phase, and sleep site sharing during the light (inactive) phase. The rate of sleep site sharing during the light phase was higher than expected, suggesting that the pairs preferred to stay near each other. There was no evidence of increased stress after a long period of male-male social housing. Female same-sex pairs and male-female pairs demonstrated a high level of affiliative behaviors right after the introduction. These results highlight the flexibility and high sociability of this species and indicate that such same-sex pairings are a feasible option for their social management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Yamanashi
- Center for Research and Education of Wildlife (CREW), Kyoto City Zoo, Kyoto, Japan.,Wildlife Research Center (WRC), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Matsuda I, Bernard H, Tuuga A, Nathan SKSS, Sha JCM, Osman I, Sipangkui R, Seino S, Asano S, Wong A, Kreuzer M, Ramirez Saldivar DA, Clauss M. Fecal Nutrients Suggest Diets of Higher Fiber Levels in Free-Ranging than in Captive Proboscis Monkeys ( Nasalis larvatus). Front Vet Sci 2018; 4:246. [PMID: 29404345 PMCID: PMC5780573 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the natural diet of species may provide useful information that can contribute to successful captive maintenance. A common problem experienced with captive foregut-fermenting primate (colobine) diets is that they are deficient in fiber and therefore highly digestible. This may contribute to gastrointestinal disorders often observed in zoos. An approach to obtain information relevant for the improvement of diets is to compare the nutrient composition of feces from free-ranging and captive individuals. In theory, fecal material can be considered a proxy for diet intake integrated over a certain period of time. We collected fecal samples from eight free-ranging proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus, a highly endangered colobine species) groups from a secondary forest along the Kinabatangan River and four from a mixed mangrove-riverine forest along the Garama River, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. We also collected fecal samples from 12 individual captive adult/sub-adult proboscis monkeys from three different zoos. We confirmed that feces from free-ranging monkeys contained more fiber and less metabolic fecal nitrogen than those from captive specimens, indicating a less digestible diet in the wild. Modifying the diets of captive colobines to include more fiber, comparable to those of free-ranging ones, may contribute to their health and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikki Matsuda
- Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences, Kasugai-shi, Japan
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan
- Japan Monkey Centre, Inuyama, Japan
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Henry Bernard
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Augustine Tuuga
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Wisma Muis, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | | | - John C. M. Sha
- School of Sociology and Anthropology Department, Sun Yat-sen University, Guang Zhou, China
| | - Ismon Osman
- Singapore Zoo, Wildlife Reserve Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rosa Sipangkui
- Sabah Wildlife Department, Wisma Muis, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Satoru Seino
- Zoorasia, Yohohama Zoological Gardens, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Sanae Asano
- Department of Animal Science and Resources, Nihon University, Kameino, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Anna Wong
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Michael Kreuzer
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Marcus Clauss
- Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets and Wildlife, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Anderson EJ, Weladji RB, Paré P. Changes in the dominance hierarchy of captive female Japanese macaques as a consequence of merging two previously established groups. Zoo Biol 2016; 35:505-512. [PMID: 27569261 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Dominance hierarchies play an important role in reducing competition and aggression in social animals. In zoos, changes in group composition are often required due to management protocols, but these changes may have long lasting effects on dominance hierarchies, and, consequently, the wellbeing of the animals. We studied the changes in the female dominance hierarchy that occurred both during and after the formation of a group of 10 adult Japanese macaques at the Zoo de Granby by combining members from two previously established groups. There was no significant correlation between individual ranks in the old groups (groups A and B) and their ranks in the new group (group AB), indicating a significant change in the hierarchy. Alliances between kin appeared to be important in determining rank; when the sister of the dominant female was removed from group AB, the hierarchy changed significantly a second time. The average standardized rank of individuals added later in the formation process of group AB was not different from those added earlier. Ranks in the group AB did correlate with age of individual at the beginning of the field season, but not at the end, after the shift in hierarchy occurred. Zoo management must be aware of the consequences small changes in a social group can have when removing and transferring individuals in both primates and in other social species. Zoo Biol. 35:505-512, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrick Paré
- Department of Conservation and Research, Zoo de Granby, Granby, Canada
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Excretion patterns of solute and different-sized particle passage markers in foregut-fermenting proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) do not indicate an adaptation for rumination. Physiol Behav 2015; 149:45-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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