Abstract
Visitors can influence the behaviour of zoo animals through their auditory and visual presence, with mixed findings of negative, neutral, and positive effects on welfare. This study opportunistically utilised the UK-wide COVID-19 period of zoo closure to investigate the activity and enclosure usage of Greater (Phoenicopterus roseus) and Chilean (P. chilensis) Flamingos housed at two zoos. Flamingo behaviour at both sites was observed during the last week of a three-month closure period and the immediate reopening of the zoos. Photographic data were collected at three timepoints during each observation day. Negative binomial GLMMs compared the behaviour observed during zoo closure to the behaviour observed during zoo reopening, whilst accounting for climatic variables and time of day. Spearman’s correlation identified relationships between behaviour with the number of visitors and weather. Greater Flamingos were not influenced by the reintroduction of visitors to the zoo setting. Chilean Flamingos showed an increase in inactivity and decrease in movement and feeding when the zoo reopened. These possible behavioural responses are better explained by the influence of temperature on the behaviour of Chilean Flamingos and by the correlation between temperature and visitor number, rather than a direct consequence of visitor presence. This research details the multifactorial nature of any potential anthropogenic effects on zoo animal behaviour and highlights the importance of considering environmental variables alongside the measurement of visitor presence or absence.
Highlights
IntroductionThe behaviour of zoo animals can be indicative of responses to captive conditions, and subsequently welfare [1]
We suggest that Greater Flamingos may be more adaptable to a changing presence of zoo visitors due to their more generalised ecology when compared to Chilean Flamingos
This study aims to continue to add to the non-mammalian literature on visitor effects by examining the behaviour and enclosure usage of these two commonly housed flamingo species and their response to the resumption of zoo visitors after COVID-19 enforced closure at two UK zoological collections
Summary
The behaviour of zoo animals can be indicative of responses to captive conditions, and subsequently welfare [1]. As an individual’s behaviour and environment are inextricably linked, it is likely that a zoo’s visitors influence the behaviour and welfare of the animal population due to their auditory and visual impact [2,3]. 2019 (COVID-19) led to the global disruption and dramatic closure of global zoological institutions, with visitors unable to access animal exhibits for several months [4]. COVID-19 provided a unique opportunity to study the influence of visitors on welfare 4.0/).
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