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Tan IZ, Matrai E, Martelli P. Monitoring the world-oldest zoo-housed male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): A case-study on pathway utilization. Zoo Biol 2024. [PMID: 38965870 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21853] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Habitat use monitoring is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of the biological and psychological requirements of animals under human care, facilitating improved exhibit designs and promoting animal welfare. Current studies focused on the space use of the exhibit while limited studies examined the pathway use of the zoo-housed animals. This study aimed to investigate the habitat use of An An, the world-oldest male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) at Ocean Park Hong Kong using a pathway utilization monitoring method. The result showed uneven utilization of pathways favoring the upper area near his den over the lower area which required longer walking in the hilly exhibit. Moreover, the comparisons of walking directions showed a preference for gentle slopes during uphill movement and a favor for steep slopes during downhill movement. Our study also compared the walking distance between uphill and downhill movements and the results showed that An An walked longer distances heading upward than moving downward due to his choice of pathways. Our results are in line with the findings in the wild population, showing a preference for gentle slopes, especially in uphill movement. Our study demonstrated the value of the pathway monitoring technique. Due to its easy and time-effective use, this technique can be incorporated into the care teams' operation, providing valuable information on daily activity (e.g. accessing the walking ability of the aged animals by investigating the pathway use and walking distance) and habitat use. Consequently, the pathway monitoring technique can help improve exhibit designs promoting welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eszter Matrai
- Research Department, Ocean Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Winship K, McClain A, Ramos A, Dunham J, Xitco M. Health and Welfare Benefits of Computerized Cognitive Enrichment in California Sea Lions ( Zalophus californianus) at the US Navy Marine Mammal Program. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1120. [PMID: 38612359 PMCID: PMC11010985 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071120] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive enrichment is becoming more prevalent in professional marine mammal facilities. Research with dolphins has suggested that such enrichment provides more welfare benefits than enrichment that does not incorporate cognitive challenge. However, there is little research supporting the use of cognitive enrichment as a means to improve the welfare of sea lions. Recently, a novel form of technological cognitive enrichment, the Enclosure Video Enrichment (EVE) system, was introduced to a population of California sea lions at the US Navy's Marine Mammal Program as a means to enhance welfare. Two of the initial focal animals introduced to EVE were selected based on their health history and the possible benefits of cognitive enrichment in improving health measures. To evaluate this, information regarding the animals' consumption of their offered diet was compared to other animals in the population of similar age and the absence of a similar health history. Subsequently, the total diet consumption of the targeted animals was evaluated in the two years prior to the introduction to EVE and compared to the total diet consumption during the initial 2 years of regular EVE sessions. There was a significant decrease in the number of days in which the sea lions did not consume their entire offered diet in the two years after implementing regular EVE sessions, an increase in participation and performance of voluntary husbandry behaviors, and a reduction in the number of days animals were clinically ill. This study provides evidence of cognitive enrichment as a management tool to improve animal health and welfare as well as performance in training sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelley Winship
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Abby McClain
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Amber Ramos
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Jennifer Dunham
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr., Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
| | - Mark Xitco
- U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, Code 56700, 53560 Hull Street, San Diego, CA 92152, USA
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Bigiani S, Pilenga C. Benefit of Cognitive Environmental Enrichments on Social Tolerance and Play Behavior in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus). J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2024; 27:355-372. [PMID: 37337461 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2023.2227563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Social tolerance is an essential feature of social life that can determine the good functioning of a group of animals. Play behaviors, like social play and playing with objects, are frequently associated with positive emotional and welfare states. As a result, zoos use various strategies to promote both social tolerance and play with objects. Providing animals with cognitive environmental enrichment can be an effective tool to achieve these goals. Here we tested whether cognitive environmental enrichment can promote social tolerance and play with objects in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). To this end, we provided a group of five dolphins with two types of cognitive enrichment: one for individual use and one for cooperative use, both based on the rope-pulling task paradigm. Then we evaluated whether social tolerance and play with objects had increased after we provided dolphins with the two enrichments. Our results go in this direction, showing that after we provided dolphins with the enrichments, their intolerance behaviors decreased, both during feeding sessions and play sessions, while their play with objects increased. As a result, the two enrichments we used could be useful for improving dolphins' housing conditions.
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Baumgartner K, Hüttner T, Clegg ILK, Hartmann MG, Garcia-Párraga D, Manteca X, Mercera B, Monreal-Pawlowsky T, Pilenga C, Ternes K, Tallo-Parra O, Vaicekauskaite R, Fersen LV, Yon L, Delfour F. Dolphin-WET-Development of a Welfare Evaluation Tool for Bottlenose Dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) under Human Care. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:701. [PMID: 38473086 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Ensuring high standards of animal welfare is not only an ethical duty for zoos and aquariums, but it is also essential to achieve their conservation, education, and research goals. While for some species, animal welfare assessment frameworks are already in place, little has been done for marine animals under human care. Responding to this demand, the welfare committee of the European Association for Aquatic Mammals (EAAM) set up a group of experts on welfare science, cetacean biology, and zoo animal medicine across Europe. Their objective was to develop a comprehensive tool to evaluate the welfare of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), named Dolphin-WET. The tool encompasses 49 indicators that were either validated through peer review or management-based expertise. The first of its kind, the Dolphin-WET is a species-specific welfare assessment tool that provides a holistic approach to evaluating dolphin welfare. Inspired by Mellor's Five Domains Model and the Welfare Quality®, its hierarchical structure allows for detailed assessments from overall welfare down to specific indicators. Through combining 37 animal-based and 12 resource-based indicators that are evaluated based on a two- or three-level scoring, the protocol offers a detailed evaluation of individual dolphins. This approach allows for regular internal monitoring and targeted welfare management, enabling caretakers to address specific welfare concerns effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Baumgartner
- Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Lab, Nuremberg Zoo, 90480 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Tim Hüttner
- Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Lab, Nuremberg Zoo, 90480 Nuremberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Xavier Manteca
- Animal Welfare Education Centre (AWEC), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Oriol Tallo-Parra
- Animal Welfare Education Centre (AWEC), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Lorenzo von Fersen
- Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Lab, Nuremberg Zoo, 90480 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Lisa Yon
- Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Fabienne Delfour
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076 Toulouse, France
- Animaux et Compagnies, 31500 Toulouse, France
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Bruck JN. The Cetacean Sanctuary: A Sea of Unknowns. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:335. [PMID: 38275795 PMCID: PMC10812626 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020335] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Housing cetaceans in netted sea pens is not new and is common for many accredited managed-care facilities. Hence, the distinction between sanctuary and sea pen is more about the philosophies of those who run these sanctuary facilities, the effects of these philosophies on the animals' welfare, and how proponents of these sanctuaries fund the care of these animals. Here, I consider what plans exist for cetacean sanctuaries and discuss the caveats and challenges associated with this form of activist-managed captivity. One goal for stakeholders should be to disregard the emotional connotations of the word "sanctuary" and explore these proposals objectively with the best interest of the animals in mind. Another focus should be related to gauging the public's understanding of proposed welfare benefits to determine if long-term supporters of donation-based sanctuary models will likely see their expectations met as NGOs and their government partners consider moving forward with cetacean sanctuary experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason N Bruck
- Department of Biology, Stephen F. Austin University, SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA
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Jaakkola K. Are Dolphins Kept in Impoverished Environments? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2707. [PMID: 37684971 PMCID: PMC10486360 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172707] [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: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative effects of impoverished environments versus the positive effects of enriched environments on animals' cognitive and neural functioning. Recently, a hypothesis was raised suggesting that conditions for dolphins in zoological facilities may be inherently impoverished, and thus lead to neural and cognitive deficits. This review directly examines that hypothesis in light of the existing scientific literature relevant to dolphin welfare in zoological facilities. Specifically, it examines how dolphins are housed in modern zoological facilities, where the characteristics of such housing fall on the continuum of impoverished-to-enriched environments, and the extent to which dolphins show behavioral evidence characteristic of living in impoverished environments. The results of this analysis show that contrary to the original hypothesis, modern zoological facilities do not inherently, or even typically, house dolphins in impoverished conditions. However, it also notes that there is variation in animal welfare across different zoological facilities, and that "not impoverished" would be a particularly low bar to set as an animal welfare standard. To optimize cognitive well-being, strategies for providing additional cognitive challenges for dolphins in zoological facilities are suggested.
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Zhang D, Goodbar K, West N, Lesage V, Parks SE, Wiley DN, Barton K, Shorter KA. Pose-gait analysis for cetacean biologging tag data. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261800. [PMID: 36149842 PMCID: PMC9506652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Biologging tags are a key enabling tool for investigating cetacean behavior and locomotion in their natural habitat. Identifying and then parameterizing gait from movement sensor data is critical for these investigations, but how best to characterize gait from tag data remains an open question. Further, the location and orientation of a tag on an animal in the field are variable and can change multiple times during a deployment. As a result, the relative orientation of the tag with respect to (wrt) the animal must be determined for analysis. Currently, custom scripts that involve species-specific heuristics tend to be used in the literature. These methods require a level of knowledge and experience that can affect the reliability and repeatability of the analysis. Swimming gait is composed of a sequence of body poses that have a specific spatial pattern, and tag-based measurements of this pattern can be utilized to determine the relative orientation of the tag. This work presents an automated data processing pipeline (and software) that takes advantage of these patterns to 1) Identify relative motion between the tag and animal; 2) Estimate the relative orientation of the tag wrt the animal using a data-driven approach; and 3) Calculate gait parameters that are stable and invariant to animal pose. Validation results from bottlenose dolphin tag data show that the average relative orientation error (tag wrt the body) after processing was within 11 degrees in roll, pitch, and yaw directions. The average precision and recall for detecting instances of relative motion in the dolphin data were 0.87 and 0.89, respectively. Tag data from humpback and beluga whales were then used to demonstrate how the gait analysis can be used to enhance tag-based investigations of movement and behavior. The MATLAB source code and data presented in the paper are publicly available (https://github.com/ding-z/cetacean-pose-gait-analysis.git), along with suggested best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ding Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kari Goodbar
- Dolphin Quest Oahu, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | - Nicole West
- Dolphin Quest Oahu, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
| | | | - Susan E. Parks
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, United States of America
| | - David N. Wiley
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency’s (NOAA) Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Scituate, MA, United States of America
| | - Kira Barton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - K. Alex Shorter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
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