To manage ex situ breeding populations effectively, it is important to understand the factors that may lead to reproductive failure. In this study, we aim to understand factors associated with reproductive success in zoo-housed bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), and form evidence-based recommendations for their breeding management. We distributed a survey to global institutions housing bush dogs to collect data on factors which may affect litter survival. Responses were obtained from 30 zoos across 13 countries, providing data on 125 litter births between 2012 and 2022. Information from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) and studbook records supplemented this dataset. We found that within northern temperate regions, the number of pups reared to the age of 1 month in bush dog litters (n = 112 litters) is linked to the ages of breeding individuals, prior breeding experience of females and birth season. The number of pups reared per litter declines with advancing maternal age, but this decline can be reduced by pairing with an older male; experienced females rear more pups per litter than inexperienced females, and litters born in the summer have better survival outcomes than other seasons. Sharing data between zoos provides greater statistical power to identify challenges associated with breeding lesser-researched species, allowing zoos to overcome these challenges through evidence-based management changes.

Human behavior change is needed to stop the triple planetary crisis. Zoos reach millions of people every year and there is evidence available that people do change their behavior because of zoo led interventions. Designing interventions with behavior change frameworks in mind can increase the efficacy of interventions. The Behavior Change Wheel is a guide for describing, designing and evaluating behavior change strategies, rooted in the COM-B model. It can be used for retrospective assessment of existing interventions. Here we present a content analysis of websites of members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). We classified behavior change projects in relation to categories on the Behavior Change Wheel including Intervention Function and Policy Category. A total of 754 behavior change projects were identified and analyzed, resulting in 1650 Intervention Function and 1154 Policy Category codes. Persuasion (n = 450) and Education (n = 289) were the most frequently identified Intervention Functions. Communication/marketing (n = 515, 68.30%), was the most frequently used Policy Category. Zoos themselves were most often the agents of behavior change and projects most frequently targeted the general public. Most projects used multiple intervention functions in conjunction with each other, with only 12.73% (n = 210) of Intervention Functions occurring on their own. Combining Intervention Functions has positive implications for intervention effectiveness, but barriers to effectiveness such as limited project targets were identified. Developing behavior change projects in zoos with behavior change frameworks in mind would likely further increase the effectiveness of these projects.

Training is an essential part of meeting the needs of elephants in human care. In particular, training in a protected contact environment inherently offers more control over the environment and the choice to perform requested behaviors, likely improving welfare. Here we present a follow-up assessment of caregiver and elephant behavior nearly 20 years after the initial transition from free to protected contact to explore any longitudinal changes and the potential effects of moving to a newly constructed exhibit. As with the previous study examining the initial transition to protected contact, the present study reports high levels of compliance with caregiver requests, even after nearly two decades and through a major transition in the environment. We propose that implementing longitudinal studies to periodically evaluate training programs and develop best practices for meeting the needs of elephants in human care are an important contributor to elephant welfare.

Primate social behaviors are known to mitigate a number of negative psychological and physiological problems. Social connectedness in wild baboons can predict longevity and health, but the relationship between social grooming and physical health in captive baboons is less known. We studied rates of social grooming in captive olive and olive/yellow hybrid baboons (Papio anubis; P. anubis/cynocephalus), the factors that influence social connectedness, and its potential impacts on health as measured with neutrophil and lymphocyte levels. These white blood cell measures are available through routine bloodwork and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is known to be predictive of health outcomes. Subjects were 162 adult baboons housed in groups consisting of 1 male, 3 to 12 females, and associated offspring. Four 30-min all-occurrence observations per group were used to collect behavioral data. Blood data was collected opportunistically during veterinary check-ups for 45 of the females. Despite group compositions differing significantly from those in the wild, the captive baboons exhibited some similar patterns of social grooming and social connectedness to those of wild baboons. NLR was not significantly associated with any measure of social connectedness initially assessed, but a relationship between social network size and lymphocyte levels emerged. Baboons with few social grooming partners exhibited an expected decline in lymphocyte levels with age, but baboons with many social grooming partners did not show this expected trend. It appears, therefore, that older female baboons with many social partners may be buffered against age related immune health declines and that social connectedness is potentially acting to mediate some of the detrimental effects of aging.

This study reports the first successful vasectomy on a southern African male giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa). The goal of the procedure was to create a teaser male for reproductive studies. Following chemical immobilization using a combination of medetomidine and thiafentanil, the giraffe underwent surgery with local anesthesia. The vas deferens were bilaterally located, dissected, and transected. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of the vas deferens tissue. Five weeks post-vasectomy, the giraffe was immobilized again for semen collection, confirming infertility. The giraffe was then used to confirm oestrus in synchronized females. Pre- and post-vasectomy testosterone levels validated the procedure's effectiveness, confirming no change in the giraffe's normal behavior or attractiveness to females. The outcome was successful, with the giraffe rendered infertile post-vasectomy.

Managing for positive animal welfare is recognized as a fundamental zoo and aquarium practice. Indeed, many zoo and aquarium associations now have expectations that their members demonstrate achievement of some level of positive welfare for their charges. These organizations encourage the consideration of animal welfare outcomes in all forms of decision making, from those directly influencing individual animals - such as relocations and breeding recommendations, to those that may or may not have downstream effects on animal welfare - such as evening events or business hours. Perhaps driving these expectations, animal welfare science has begun to develop a deeper understanding and emphasis on the role of emotion in animals' lives. Welfare is now widely considered to be synonymous with emotional state. We have noticed though, that there are occasions when presumed animal welfare concerns may reflect caretakers' own emotionally driven perceptions of how certain decisions may impact animals' welfare. These "gut felt" impressions are generally not supported with data, often do not reflect best practice, and appear to be based on assumptions that reflect personal feelings. They also seem based on the supposition that current welfare is good welfare and tend to imply that changes in welfare are to be avoided, though they do not recognize that welfare can, at times, be different but equal or less but still positive. In short, the looming ghosts of animal welfare, past, present, and future appear to drive decision-making about animal welfare even when tangible, reliable data suggest alternative courses of action.

Zoological institutions strive to foster positive visitor perceptions regarding the welfare of animals under their professional care. However, the impact of specific messaging and terminology used in educational signage and programs remains unclear. The goal of the current studies was to examine the favorability and impact of common terminology around the topics of animal care and welfare used within zoos and aquariums. Participants were randomly selected from Brookfield Zoo Chicago's household member database and invited via email to complete a brief survey. Study 1 employed a feeling thermometer to assess the favorability of common zoological terms. Studies 2-7 utilized vignettes to examine terminology through both feeling thermometers and Likert-type scales, measuring both favorability and visitor perceptions of animal care and welfare. Results from Study 1 suggest that there are some statistically more favorable terms that zoological facilities could use when interpreting different topics for visitors. These include professional care, habitat, animal health, veterinary care, animal care specialist, and animal care professional. However, Studies 2-7 demonstrated that when comparing the terms within contextual vignettes, the significant differences in favorability no longer existed. Results can be utilized by practitioners in zoos and aquariums to choose more favorable terms when discussing animal care and welfare. Only through sound science will we better understand how best to impact zoo and aquarium visitors' perceptions of animal welfare.

ABSTRACT Klinefelter′s syndrome is the most prevalent sex chromosomal disorder in humans and has been observed in various mammalian species. This article documents the case of a 25‐year‐old western lowland gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla ) at Longleat Safari Park who was diagnosed with Klinefelter′s syndrome. The study encompasses their diagnosis, behavioral assessment, and management strategies over twelve years. The behavioral profile includes neophobia, sensitivity to sounds, impaired problem‐solving abilities, mood swings, and atypical social interactions. Management practices tailored to his condition involved establishing a consistent daily routine, mitigating exposure to sudden noises, and pre‐emptive medical interventions at early signs of illness. These approaches have effectively addressed his unique needs and reduced stress‐related behaviours. This case study underscores the necessity for individualized care plans for nonhuman primates with Klinefelter′s syndrome, providing a guide for future management of similar cases in captivity. The findings contribute to the limited knowledge of Klinefelter′s syndrome in gorillas and highlight the importance of personalized and consistent management strategies to enhance the welfare of affected individuals.

ABSTRACT From May 2016 until December 2018, a group of blacktip reef sharks ( Carcharhinus melanopterus ) at Shedd Aquarium successfully produced six litters. These multiple successful breeding events provided the opportunity to develop and characterize microsatellite loci in this species to properly identify paternity for future studbook succession. Thirteen microsatellite loci were developed to determine the paternal lineages of all six litters born to four female and three male blacktip reef sharks. Of the six litters produced, three were the result of polyandrous mating, including one litter that was sired by all three males. While some females only produced one litter during the study, other females exhibited a biennial reproductive cycle. Although all three males had equal opportunity to mate with various females, one male sired over half of the offspring produced during this 2‐year period. This study highlights the importance of using paternity analysis as a tool to aid in studbook management and future ex situ population conservation decisions.

Close animal encounters potentially increase visitor connection to species and present an educational and fundraising opportunity. However, evidence of the impacts on animal welfare or visitor education is limited. Red panda (Ailurus Fulgens spp.) encounters are gaining popularity despite a lack of research on their effects. As red panda are a characteristically cautious species and prone to disturbance, concern has been raised as to their suitability for encounters. We examined the extent and composition of red panda encounters amongst 150 Global Species Management Plan (GSMP) member zoos (survey responses), and their impact on longevity and reproduction (species 360 analysis). Over a third (39%) of zoos surveyed offered red panda encounters, with most (71%) being animal feeding experiences. Educational information was provided in almost all cases (95%) and focused on the encounter individuals and species' natural history. Of the 31 encounter red panda who were also part of a breeding program, 24 reproduced. Comparative data analysis suggested that encounter red panda produced more offspring and had higher longevity (survival) than non-encounter individuals, although this may reflect changes in red panda husbandry over time. A. f. styani were less likely to breed and produced fewer offspring than A. f. fulgens. Whilst there appears to be no major negative impacts of red panda encounters, continued monitoring and ensuring high animal-welfare standards remains vital.