scholarly journals Behavioral Responses of Captive Corvids to the Presence of Visitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-492
Author(s):  
Claudia A.F. Wascher ◽  
Niklas Baur ◽  
Marietta Hengl ◽  
Carina Köck ◽  
Teresa Pegger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Corvus Corax ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Corvus Corone ◽  
Control Situations ◽  
Affiliative Behaviors

Behavioral responses of captive animals to the presence of visitors in zoos and wildlife parks can be interpreted as signs of negative (disturbance), neutral or positive (enrichment) welfare. In the present study, we investigated behavioral responses of captive common ravens, Corvus corax and crows, Corvus corone, to the presence of visitors in general and to the proximity or distance of visitors to the aviary respectively. Duration of affiliative behaviors, feeding and stress-related behaviors did not change when visitors were present compared to control situations without visitors being present. Both corvid species showed less head up behavior when visitors were in sight compared to the control condition. In contrast, preening of crows significantly increased when visitors were within two meters of the aviary compared to the control condition. The same relationship was found in regard to increase in vocalization for common ravens, but not for crows. Our results indicate that corvids, housed in a wildlife park for several years, still show behavioral responses to the presence of human visitors in close proximity to their enclosure. Overall, we did not find clear indications for reduced welfare due to visitor presence, such as increased locomotion or stress-related behaviors. We therefore conclude that the described behavioral changes are not indicative of any negative welfare impacts of visitor presence.

scholarly journals Effects of Visitor Presence and Crowd Size on Zoo-Housed Red Kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) During and After a COVID-19 Closure

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-537
Author(s):  
Megan Jones ◽  
Kylen N. Gartland ◽  
Grace Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Social Proximity ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Macropus Rufus ◽  
Crowd Size ◽  
Time Spent Feeding ◽  
Better Than

Macropods, particularly kangaroos and wallabies, are common species included in walk-through habitats that put them in close proximity to zoo visitors. However, there has been little research into how visitor presence and density impact the welfare of these individuals. We monitored the behavior and space use of fifteen red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) for a total of ten weeks during and after a nearly three-month zoo closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings revealed potential visitor effects, evidenced by more time spent in social proximity, greater inactivity, and more restricted space use after the zoo reopened. Although temperature and weather likely played a role in at least some of these behavioral changes, social proximity and space use changed with crowd size in a manner consistent with our zoo status (i.e., open or closed) results. Additionally, time spent feeding was significantly related to crowd size but not zoo status, such that the kangaroos spent more time feeding when there were no visitors in the habitat. These findings suggest that visitor effects explain these behavioral changes better than seasonal confounds. We also noted several individual differences in response to visitor presence and crowd size, highlighting the importance of evaluating behavioral responses to visitors on an individual basis.

Behavioral responses of coyotes to wolf recolonization in northwestern Montana

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 1919-1927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy M Arjo ◽  
Daniel H Pletscher
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Wolf Population ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Temporal Partitioning ◽  
Northwestern Montana ◽  
Range Overlap ◽  
Overlap Area

Recent recolonization of northwestern Montana by wolves (Canis lupus) provided an opportunity to examine behavioral responses of coyotes (Canis latrans) to a reestablished wolf population. Coyote and wolf annual home ranges overlapped extensively; however, seasonal overlap was not as pronounced. Most seasonal coyote home ranges were located between wolf packs or along the edge of wolf territories, but wolves and coyotes did not use the seasonal overlap area differently than expected. Most of the coyotes maintained random separation distances from wolves, though three coyotes were closer to wolves than expected. No difference in summer activity was found between the canids; however, temporal partitioning occurred during the winter, which may have allowed the increase in home-range overlap observed during the winter. Additionally, temporal partitioning occurred through differential arrangement of canid home ranges (i.e., wolf home ranges were smaller in summer) and reduced overlap of seasonal home ranges. Coyotes were usually singletons and some pairs, and before wolf colonization they fed on lagomorphs and plants. After wolf colonization, coyotes tended to be in pairs and small packs and they relied on ungulates. Although we documented wolves killing coyotes, coyotes are coexisting with wolves through spatial and temporal separation and behavioral changes.

scholarly journals Two parallel pathways are required for ultrasound-evoked behavioral changes in Caenorhabditis elegans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Magaram ◽  
Connor Weiss ◽  
Aditya Vasan ◽  
Kirthi C Reddy ◽  
James Friend ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Double Mutant ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Mechanosensitive Channel ◽  
Ultrasound Transducer ◽  
Null Mutant ◽  
Behavioral Deficit ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Msec Pulse ◽  
Molecular Machinery

Ultrasound has been shown to affect the function of both neurons and non-neuronal cells. However, the underlying molecular machinery has been poorly understood. Here, we show that at least two mechanosensitive proteins act in parallel to generate C. elegans behavioral responses to ultrasound stimuli. We first show that these animals generate reversals in response to a single 10 msec pulse from a 2.25 MHz ultrasound transducer. Next, we show that the pore-forming subunit of the mechanosensitive channel TRP-4, and a DEG/ENaC/ASIC ion channel MEC-4, are both required for this ultrasound-evoked reversal response. Further, the trp-4 mec-4 double mutant shows a stronger behavioral deficit compared to either single mutant. Finally, overexpressing TRP-4 in specific chemosensory neurons can rescue the ultrasound-triggered behavioral deficit in the mec-4 null mutant, suggesting that these two pathways act in parallel. Together, we demonstrate that multiple mechanosensitive proteins likely cooperate to transform ultrasound stimuli into behavioral changes.

scholarly journals Nesting common eiders (Somateria mollissima) show little behavioral response to fixed-wing drone surveys

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan N Ellis-Felege ◽  
Tanner J Stechmann ◽  
Samuel D Hervey ◽  
Christopher J Felege ◽  
Robert F Rockwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Focal Species ◽  
Polar Species ◽  
Common Eiders ◽  
Reducing Activity ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Potential Tool

Drones may be valuable in polar research because they can minimize researcher activity and overcome logistic, financial, and safety obstacles associated with wildlife research in Polar Regions. Because Polar species may be particularly sensitive to disturbance and some research suggests behavioral responses to drones are species-specific, there is a need for focal species-specific disturbance assessments. We evaluated behavioral responses of nesting Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima, n =19 incubating females) to first, second, or in a few cases third exposure of fixed-wing drone surveys using nest cameras. We found no effect of drone flights (F1,23 = 0, P < 1.0) or previous exposures (F1,23 = 0.75, P = 0.397) on the probability of a daily recess event (bird leaves nests). Drone flights did not impact recess length (F1,25 = 1.34, P = 0.26); however, eiders with prior drone exposure took longer recess events (F1,25 = 5.27, P = 0.03). We did not observe any overhead vigilance behaviors common in other species while the drone was in the air, which may reflect eider’s anti-predator strategies of reducing activity at nests in response to aerial predators. Surveying nesting common eider colonies with a fixed-wing drone did not result in biologically meaningful behavioral changes, providing a potential tool for research and monitoring this Polar nesting species.

scholarly journals Nest occupation and prey grabbing by saker falcon (Falco cherrug) on power lines in the province of Vojvodina (Serbia)

2008 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Puzovic
Keyword(s):  
Common Vole ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Falco Tinnunculus ◽  
Corvus Corax ◽  
Hooded Crow ◽  
Circus Aeruginosus ◽  
Corvus Corone ◽  
Saker Falcon ◽  
Falco Cherrug

Research on nest occupation and prey grabbing by saker falcon (Falco cherrug) on power lines in Vojvodina (Serbia) was done in the period from 1986 to 2004. During three specially analyzed periods, saker falcon took the nests of raven (Corvus corax) in 91% of a total of 22 cases of nest occupation, and those of hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix) in only 9%. Saker falcon regularly grabs prey from different birds that occasionally or constantly spend time around power lines [Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), hobby (Falco subbuteo), hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix), jack-daw (Corvus monedula), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), buzzard (Buteo buteo), and raven (Corvus corax)]. One year a studied pair of saker falcons on a power line in Donji Srem, Serbia grabbed prey from five different species of birds. Out of a total of 40 cases of prey grabbing in the period from January to December, as much 70% of the grabbed prey was taken from kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). During the winter and early spring, prey was grabbed predominantly by males; after May, prey was sometimes grabbed by females as well. Most of the grabbed prey was common vole (Microtus arvalis).

scholarly journals How does age affect personal and social reactions to COVID-19: Results from the national Understanding America Study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241950
Author(s):  
Jung Ki Kim ◽  
Eileen M. Crimmins
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Racial Ethnic ◽  
Over Time

The COVID-19 pandemic has had tremendous impact on Americans’ lives including their personal and social behaviors. While people of all ages are affected in some way by the pandemic, older persons have been far more likely to suffer the most severe health consequences. For this reason, how people have responded to mitigating behaviors to COVID-19 may differ by age. Using a nationally representative sample from the longitudinal data of the Understanding America Study (UAS), we examined differentials in behavioral responses to COVID-19 by age and how they changed over the first three months of the pandemic. Behavioral responses and changes in behavior over time differed by age, type of behaviors and time reference. At the beginning of the pandemic (March, 2020), older and younger people were similar in their likelihood of engaging in preventive personal behaviors when controlling for other influences. As the pandemic progressed, however, older people adopted mitigating personal behavioral changes more than younger people, such that about 1–2 months after the pandemic started, older people were more likely to comply with suggested behaviors and regulations including practicing better hygiene, quarantining, and social distancing. One month into the pandemic, older people were less likely than younger people to engage in two of four risky behaviors. The change in risky behavior over time did not differ by age; but both younger and older people were more likely to engage in risky behaviors after two months. Being female, a member of a racial/ethnic minority group, higher socioeconomic status, having more COVID-19 cases in one’s state of residence, a higher perceived risk for infection and dying, and a more left-leaning political orientation were related to adopting more pandemic mitigating behaviors.

scholarly journals Familiarity with the experimenter influences the performance of Common ravens (Corvus corax) and Carrion crows (Corvus corone corone) in cognitive tasks

2014 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Cibulski ◽  
Claudia A.F. Wascher ◽  
Brigitte M. Weiß ◽  
Kurt Kotrschal
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Corvus Corax ◽  
Corvus Corone

scholarly journals Behavioral responses of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by sublethal exposure to chlorpyrifos: a case study in Twin Lakes of West Sumatra

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
Taufiq Ihsan ◽  
Tivany Edwin ◽  
Winna Anggraeni
Keyword(s):  
Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
Nile Tilapia ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Test Species ◽  
Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
West Sumatra ◽  
Contact Poison ◽  
Sublethal Concentrations

Background: The most commonly used insecticide by 99.8% farmers in West Sumatra, is chlorpyrifos which contains organophosphates. Chlorpyrifos is used to kill insects and other pests and works as the contact poison, gastric toxins, and inhalation. It is very useful for farmers in keeping the plants such as corn, citrus, peanuts, and so forth. Chlorpyrifos can enter the water body with direct application to control pests or indirectly through either spraying or washing during high rainfall in spray applications for plant leaves. Chlorpyrifos is also used in farming in the region of Twin Lakes (Diatas Lake and Dibawah Lake), West Sumatra, Indonesia. One of the most important fish that is cultivated in this region is Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Methods: The acute toxicity (LC50-96 h) of chlorpyrifos for Nile tilapia in studies was 0.076 mg/L. Sublethal concentrations used for the studies were one-seventh (0.011 mg/L) and one-fourteenth (0.005 mg/L) of the LC50-96 h. The test animal was exposed to the both sublethal concentrations for 1, 7 and 14 days. Behavioral responses were studied in the experimental periods. Tilapia that exposed chlorpyrifos exposure was exhibited irregular body movements, gills and fins motion, mucus secretion, breathing at the surface, and anal excretion. Results: It was revealed that the longer the exposure time, the more visible behavioral changes in fish, as well as the concentration variations, it means that the higher the concentration, the more visible changes in physiological behavior of fish. Correlation values (R) were was 0.75–0.99. Conclusion: These behavioral responses can be used as a tool in biomonitoring program to monitor ecotoxicity risk of chlorpyrifos to the test species, especially in the region of Twin Lakes, West Sumatra, Indonesia.

scholarly journals Managing Aged Animals in Zoos to Promote Positive Welfare: A Review and Future Directions

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany Krebs ◽  
Debra Marrin ◽  
Amy Phelps ◽  
Lana Krol ◽  
Jason Watters
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
The Past ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Animal Welfare Science ◽  
Human Care ◽  
Age Related Changes

Improvements in veterinary care, nutrition, and husbandry of animals living in zoos have led to an increase in the longevity of these animals over the past 30 years. In this same time period, the focus of animal welfare science has shifted from concerns over mitigating negative welfare impacts to promoting positive welfare experiences for animals. For instance, providing opportunities for animals to exert agency, solve problems, or acquire rewards are all associated with positive welfare outcomes. Many common age-related changes result in limitations to opportunities for positive welfare experiences, either due to pain or other physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitations. This review aggregates information regarding common age-related physical and behavioral changes across species, discusses how age-related changes may limit positive welfare opportunities of aged animals in human care, and suggests potential management methods to help promote positive welfare for animals at all life stages in zoos and aquariums.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document