Influence of environmental enrichment on the rehabilitation of white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

Sérgio Diniz Garcia,Márcia Marinho,Gabriela Cortellini Ferreira Ramos,Matheus Janeck Araújo

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i17.24284

Sérgio Diniz Garcia, Márcia Marinho + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i17.24284

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Abstract

The use of sensory, physical, cognitive, and alimentary stimuli are varieties of environmental enrichment used to minimize stress caused by the monotonous captive environment. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of environmental enrichment in escape-related behavioral stereotypies. Thirty birds of the species Psittacara leucophthalmus were observed from March to September 2016, received at the Wild Animal Recovery and Screening Center of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of the Veterinary Medicine campus Araçatuba. The methodology used for the behavioral observations was the focal animal with observation through filming were made by 18 hours per bird for three consecutive days, while physical, cognitive, food, and sensory enrichment methods were applied, and the assessment was carried out before, during, and after the application of environmental enrichment. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and by the Friedman test, which showed no significant difference (p >0.05) before, during, and after environmental enrichment. Despite the statistical analyses, the perception of the bird’s welfare improving was visually clear.

Highlights

The science of animal welfare has been resting on the scientific scene and establishing itself in all farming systems livestock, pets, work, fish, and wild animals in the wild and in captivity. causing a complex and revolutionary reflection on the way we raise and treat animals
Relevant points related to animal welfare associated with the rearing system and management practices adopted for animals responsible for causing pain and suffering are strongly described in review articles, such as; nutritional management of pregnant sows (Souza, et al, 2021), laying hens, and osteoporosis (Moraes, et al, 2020) as management, transport and high density (Grandin, 2015), battery - cage systems, early weaning, slaughter system
Through the revised Animal Welfare Act in 1991, federal legislation required researchers to ‘provide a physical environment adequate to promote the psychological well‐being of primates’ (Lutz Novak, 2005)

Summary

Introduction

The science of animal welfare has been resting on the scientific scene and establishing itself in all farming systems livestock, pets, work, fish, and wild animals in the wild and in captivity. causing a complex and revolutionary reflection on the way we raise and treat animals. The diagnosis of behavioral abnormalities (etiopathies, psychopathies, sociopathies), one of the most studied being stereotypical conduct, self-mutilation, feather pecking on birds, or excessively aggressive behavior indicates that the animal is under conditions of poor welfare (Fraser, 2009). The lack of stimulation from captivity can lead animals to abnormal and stereotypical behaviors, which indicates poor welfare (Andrade & Azevedo, 2011). The US Congress significantly revised the Animal Welfare Act in 1985 to include environmental enrichment. Through the revised Animal Welfare Act in 1991, federal legislation required researchers to ‘provide a physical environment adequate to promote the psychological well‐being of primates’ (Lutz Novak, 2005). While birds were not included in this legislation, the revised Animal Welfare Act does give us more reason to evaluate and provide for the mental health of captive avian species (Echols, 2010)

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