Behaviour, interactions and habitat use of European bison (Bison bonasus), Exmoor ponies (Equus ferus) and Dybowski deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum) in a mixed-species enclosure at Tierpark Sababurg

Abstract

From spring 2010 to early summer 2011, the behaviour, intra- and interspecific interactions, as well as the habitat use of European bison (Bison bonasus), Exmoor ponies (Equus ferus) and Dybowski deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum) were documented in a 14ha-wide enclosure at Tierpark Sababurg. Fifteen individuals were observed by focal-animal and scan sampling during all hours of daylight for 605 hours in total. Regarding the main behaviours as a mean over the complete observation period, the European bison spent 47.73% of the day on feeding, 43.05% on resting, 6.79% on locomotive and 1.68% on comforting behaviour. The Exmoor ponies fed for 58.62% and rested for 34.54% of the day, used 3.87% for locomotion and 1.37% for comforting behaviour. The Dybowski deer fed for 47.22% of the day and rested for 43.64%, with 4.55% dedicated to locomotive and 2.44% to comforting behaviour. Those main behaviours of all three species were organised in a species-specific daily activity rhythm of alternating phases of ingestion and resting behaviour. The proportions of all behaviours and, as a result, the daily activity rhythms varied throughout the seasons and thus in different environmental conditions. All species could be proven to behave in the normal range of results for their free-ranging conspecifics and displayed natural social behaviours uninfluenced by management or by living in an enclosed environment. Interspecific interactions did occur to a certain extent, positive interspecific interactions being restricted to the Exmoor ponies and Dybowski deer. Agonistic relations occurred mostly as simple threatening gestures or as indirect interactions without physical contact. A species hierarchy is established and maintained, with the European bison being the dominant species, followed by the Exmoor ponies and the Dybowski deer. The analysis of the habitat use showed clear preferences for special areas and enclosure features of the compound in the different species. As with behaviour, the habitat use was also influenced by the different seasons and varied across these. Whereas the open, grassy areas were preferred in spring and autumn, the more sheltered areas were used to a greater extent in summer, as they provided shaded resting places, and in winter due to harsh weather conditions. In conclusion, the cohabitation of European bison, Exmoor ponies and Dybowski deer at Tierpark Sababurg is without problems and can be taken as an example project for future research on possibilities for grazing projects in nature conservation.