Abstract
Captive environments are always less complex than natural places, and consequently contain less stimuli for any animals within them, which may be stressful. One approach to reducing stress in captive animals is the application of environmental enrichment techniques. Capuchin monkeys are among the most common primates in captivity, therefore, evaluating the efficacy of environmental enrichment techniques for these species is important. In this study, we evaluated the effects of natural material as environmental enrichment for Sapajus spp. To do so, we compared the behavior of seven individuals when their enclosure was non-enriched and enriched with bamboo, leaf-litter and bromeliads. We found that capuchins reduced the frequency of body care activities and of affiliative interactions when environmentally enriching objects were placed in their enclosure. They also increased time spent in object manipulation and reduced observation of the environment during these periods. Of the three materials used, we consider bamboo the most efficient enrichment material, since it remained intact longer and so attracted capuchin attention for a more extended period, and significantly modified their behavior.
Highlights
Animals may be kept in captivity for a variety of reasons, which includes medical researches (Mittermeier et al, 1994; Bailey, 2005), entertainment, education (Hyson, 2004), rescue (Tribe & Brown, 2000), and conservation (Kleiman et al, 1986)
The maintenance of wild animals in captive environments as “sanctuaries”, breeding colonies and zoos is an important tool for both species conservation and human health (Bailey, 2005)
Captive environments are always smaller than the areas animals would naturally occupy, and contain fewer stimuli, and this may be stressful for animals (Ross et al, 2009)
Summary
Animals may be kept in captivity for a variety of reasons, which includes medical researches (Mittermeier et al, 1994; Bailey, 2005), entertainment, education (Hyson, 2004), rescue (Tribe & Brown, 2000), and conservation (Kleiman et al, 1986). Many captive environments contain other sources of stress such as noise or husbandry routines (e.g. handling, nursing, breeding) (Morgan & Tromborg, 2007; Dickens & Benley, 2014; Quadros et al, 2014). Stress induced by these factors can compel the species to modify their behavior and activity budgets to adapt into the environment (Young, 2003; De Azevedo, 2007; Novak et al, 2017; De Almeida et al, 2018). Stereotypies are expressed as repetitive motor behaviors without an apparent purpose and are commonly considered to be indicators of stress (Mason & Rushen, 2008)
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