Animal-Visitor Interactions: Effects, Experiences, and Welfare

Animal-Visitor Interactions (AVI) within zoos and aquariums have become an increasingly studied topic. Influenced by both the broader field of Human-Animal Interactions (HAI), as well as visitor studies conducted in museums, AVI studies can be separated into two areas of focus: (1) Visitor effects, or the impact visitors have on the animals housed within a zoo, and (2) visitor experiences, or the impact zoo animals and visiting a zoo have on the visitors. Historically, visitor effects have been of primary concern to the study of AVIs, as have the potential negative impacts on the welfare of animals, particularly those of zoo primates. This special issue examines the impact of AVIs in greater detail through twelve recent papers on the topic, equally addressing visitor effects and experiences. Many of the papers focus on positive welfare indices, as well as less traditional measures to examine both visitor effects and experiences, such as visitor proximity and visitor interviews. In addition, we discuss the relevance of future AVI work, with particular attention to (a) increased interest in visitor experience research, (b) examinations of signage effects, and (c) continued focus on positive welfare indices and direct interactions, such as public feedings.

Effects of a combined enrichment intervention on the behavioural and physiological welfare of captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

The endangered Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is currently distributed as a single wild population of 670 individuals and ∼400 captive animals globally. Although the captive lions are major hope for the species’ long-term conservation through repatriation, their welfare status and management practises need research attention. To this end, we tested the efficacy of feeding, sensory and manipulable enrichment interventions on the welfare of Asiatic lions at the conservation breeding centre of Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Gujarat. We adopted a holistic approach by measuring physiological and behavioural responses of 35 captive Asiatic lions, divided into control (n=16) and test (n=19) groups. The test subjects approached feeding devices first and manipulable devices for a longer duration. Manipulable devices were used homogenously with two significant time peaks, but sensory devices were used sporadically throughout the day with no discernible peak usage. The control subjects remained unchanged in all welfare parameters compared to their pre-treatment levels. However, post-enrichment behavioural assessments showed higher behaviour diversity (95% increase from the baseline period), reduced enclosure zone bias (40.25% reduction) and aberrant repetitive behaviours (80.68%) in test samples. Similarly, faecal corticosterone measures showed lower stress levels in test samples (58% decrease), confirming significant improvement in all welfare indices than control groups. These results have universal applicability to assess welfare indices of other captive species in Indian zoos. We hope that the results will encourage zoo managers and regulatory agencies to improve animal welfare practices.

Effects of personality and rearing-history on the welfare of captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Background The long-term success of ex-situ conservation programmes depends on species-appropriate husbandry and enrichment practices complemented by an accurate welfare assessment protocol. Zoos and conservation breeding programmes should employ a bottom-up approach to account for intraspecific variations in measures of animal welfare. We studied 35 (14:21) captive Asiatic lions in Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Junagadh, India to understand the implications of individual variations on welfare measures. We categorized the subjects based on personality traits (bold or shy), rearing history (wild-rescued or captive-raised), sex, and social-grouping. We explored the association of these categorical variables on welfare indices such as behavioural diversity, latency to approach novel objects, enclosure usage and aberrant repetitive behaviours. Further, we assessed the inter-relationships between different behavioural measures of welfare. Results Our results show that intraspecific variations based on rearing-history and personality traits are significantly associated with the welfare states of captive Asiatic lions. Asiatic lions with bold personality traits (M = 0.50, SD = 0.12, N = 21) and those raised in captivity (M = 0.47, SD = 0.12, N = 16) used enclosure space more homogenously compared to shy (M = 0.71, SD = 0.15, N = 14) and wild-rescued (M = 0.67, SD = 0.15, N = 19) animals. Behaviour diversity was significantly higher in captive-raised (M = 1.26, SD = 0.3, N = 16) and bold (M = 1.23, SD = 0.26, N = 21) subjects compared to wild-rescued (M = 0.83, SD = 0.35, N = 19) and shy (M = 0.73, SD = 0.34, N = 14) individuals. Aberrant repetitive behaviours (stereotypy) were significantly lower in bold (M = 7.01, SD = 4, N = 21) and captive-raised (M = 7.74, SD = 5.3) individuals compared to wild-rescued (M = 13.12, SD = 6.25, N = 19) and shy (M = 16.13, SD = 5.4, N = 16) lions. Sex and social-grouping of subjects did not show significant associations with behavioural welfare indices. Interestingly, behaviour diversity was reliably predicted by the enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours displayed by subjects. Discussion Our findings underline the importance of individual-centric, behaviour-based, and multi-dimensional welfare assessment approaches in ex-situ conservation programmes. The results suggest that behavioural welfare indices complemented with individual variations can explain inter-individual differences in behavioural welfare measure outcomes of Asiatic lions. These findings also provide zoo managers with a non-invasive tool to reliably assess and improve husbandry practices for Asiatic lions. Understanding the unique welfare requirement of individuals in captivity will be crucial for the survival of the species.

Effects of personality and life-history on the welfare of captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Background The long-term success of ex-situ conservation programmes depends on husbandry and enrichment practices complemented by a robust welfare assessment protocol. Most zoos and conservation programmes continue to employ a bottom-up approach to measure animal welfare that often fails to account for intraspecific variations. Despite accepting animal sentience, we are yet to address individuality and its role in governing animal welfare in captive conditions. We explored the role of individuality (personality traits, and life history) on behaviour-based welfare indices of 35 (14:21) captive Asiatic lions in Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Junagadh, India. We categorized the subjects based on personality traits (bold or shy), life history (wild-rescued or captive-raised) and gender, and compared welfare indices in the form of behavioural diversity, latency to novel objects, enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours between the groups. Further, we assessed the inter-relationships between different behavioural measures of welfare. Results Our results show that intraspecific variations based on life history and personality traits consistently predict the welfare states of captive lions. Asiatic lions with bold traits (M=0.5, SD=0.12, n=21) and captive-raised life history (M=0.47, SD=0.12, n=16) used enclosure space more homogenously compared to shy (M=0.71, SD=0.15, n=14) and wild-rescued (M=0.67, SD=0.15, n=19) animals. Behaviour diversity was significantly higher in captive-raised (M=1.26, SD=0.3, n=16) and bold (M=1.23, SD=0.26, n=21) subjects compared to wild-rescued (M=0.83, SD=0.35, n=19) and shy (M=0.73, SD=0.34, n=14) individuals. On the other hand, aberrant repetitive behaviours (stereotypy) were significantly lower in bold (M=7.01, SD=3.9, n=21) and captive-raised (M = 7.74, SD = 5.3) individuals compared to wild-rescued (M=13.12, SD=6.25, n=19) and shy (M=16.13, SD=5.4, n=16) lions. Behaviour diversity was reliably predicted by the enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours displayed by subjects. The enclosure usage pattern of subjects was predicted by their latency to novel objects, behaviour diversity, and age. Discussion Our findings underline the importance of individual-centric, behaviour-based, and multi-dimensional welfare assessment tools in ex-situ conservation programmes. The results suggest that behavioural welfare indices complemented with personality can help improve welfare of Asiatic lions and highlight the critical need to address intraspecific variation in behavioural welfare measures in captive animals.

Effects of personality and life-history on the welfare of captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Background The long-term success of ex-situ conservation programmes depends on husbandry and enrichment practices complemented by a robust welfare assessment protocol. Most zoos and conservation programmes continue to employ a bottom-up approach to measure animal welfare that often fails to account for intraspecific variations. Despite accepting animal sentience, we are yet to address individuality and its role in governing animal welfare in captive conditions. We explored the role of individuality (personality traits, and life history) on behaviour-based welfare indices of 35 (14:21) captive Asiatic lions in Sakkarbaug Zoological Garden, Junagadh, India. We categorized the subjects based on personality traits (bold or shy), life history (wild-rescued or captive-raised) and gender, and compared welfare indices in the form of behavioural diversity, latency to novel objects, enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours between the groups. Further, we assessed the inter-relationships between different behavioural measures of welfare. Results Our results show that intraspecific variations based on life history and personality traits consistently predict the welfare states of captive lions. Asiatic lions with bold traits (M=0.5, SD=0.12, n=21) and captive-raised life history (M=0.47, SD=0.12, n=16) used enclosure space more homogenously compared to shy (M=0.71, SD=0.15, n=14) and wild-rescued (M=0.67, SD=0.15, n=19) animals. Behaviour diversity was significantly higher in captive-raised (M=1.26, SD=0.3, n=16) and bold (M=1.23, SD=0.26, n=21) subjects compared to wild-rescued (M=0.83, SD=0.35, n=19) and shy (M=0.73, SD=0.34, n=14) individuals. On the other hand, aberrant repetitive behaviours (stereotypy) were significantly lower in bold (M=7.01, SD=3.9, n=21) and captive-raised (M = 7.74, SD = 5.3) individuals compared to wild-rescued (M=13.12, SD=6.25, n=19) and shy (M=16.13, SD=5.4, n=16) lions. Behaviour diversity was reliably predicted by the enclosure usage patterns and aberrant repetitive behaviours displayed by subjects. The enclosure usage pattern of subjects was predicted by their latency to novel objects, behaviour diversity, and age. Discussion Our findings underline the importance of individual-centric, behaviour-based, and multi-dimensional welfare assessment tools in ex-situ conservation programmes. The results suggest that behavioural welfare indices complemented with personality can help improve welfare of Asiatic lions and highlight the critical need to address intraspecific variation in behavioural welfare measures in captive animals.