Activity Budgets Research Articles

Teaching English Based on The Kurikulum Merdeka at Muhammadiyah Junior High Schools in Yogyakarta: The Teachers’ Implementation and Perception

This research aims to reveal the implementation and perceptions of the Kurikulum Merdeka by English teachers and also to find the English teachers’ problems in implementing the Kurikulum Merdeka. This research belonged to a qualitative study conducted by using interview and observation to collect data. The research participants were three English teachers at three Muhammadiyah Junior High Schools in Yogyakarta who had implemented the Kurikulum Merdeka. Interview guidelines, observation checklist, and observation field note were used as research instruments. This research used coding technique to analyze data. The research findings showed that the English teachers implemented the Kurikulum Merdeka by varying the learning process, adapting to the students’ characters, requiring more preparations, focusing the learning on vocabulary mastery, reading literacy, and the use of technology. In other words, the Kurikulum Merdeka has not been successfully implemented. Then, the teachers’ perceptions on the Kurikulum Merdeka were actually good but still confusing; the learning resources of Kurikulum Merdeka for teachers were diverse; the Kurikulum Merdeka demanded the development of better education and more differentiated learning; and the schools needed to change the learning activity budget and did a longer assessment analysis. Lastly, the problems in the Kurikulum Merdeka faced by English teachers were the lack of teachers’ understanding on the diverse students’ characters, the lack of equipment that supported learning English in the Kurikulum Merdeka, the need for a change in the mindset of parents about implementing the Kurikulum Merdeka, and the lack of understanding of the Kurikulum Merdeka.

A comparison of commercially available feeds for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and degus with evidence of their diet and feeding behaviour in natural habitats.

A large variety of pet feeds is commercially available for pet herbivores; these feeds may differ in nutrient composition from the natural diet, and may trigger different feeding behaviours than observed in natural habitats. Here, we surveyed literature on the natural diet and activity budget of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) and degus (Octodon degus), as well as 260 compound feeds commercially available for these species between 1982 and 2020. The species are classified as herbivores, with available data on natural diets suggesting a crude fibre (CF) level of approximately 250 g/kg dry matter (DM), natural feeding activity at a magnitude of 4-7 h per day, with distinctively shorter feeding when fed on compound pet feeds. Only for a minority of feeds did the first 5 listed ingredients not include a starchy ingredient, or only ingredients not considered suitable for human consumption. The percentage of feeds whose CF level was less than 150 g/kg DM was 22 % for production rabbits, 18 % for pet rabbits, 26 % for guinea pigs, 18 % for chinchillas and 14 % for degus; in other words, a majority of currently marketed products have CF levels in accord with published recommendations, even if that means a discrepancy to natural diets. Screening the producers' feeding instructions suggests they should generally not be followed uncritically. No temporal trends in the CF levels of these diets was evident. There is no consensus whether only products resembling natural diet items should be included in pet feeds, or whether vegetable byproducts not edible by humans should also be included. The observed practice of pet feed composition largely did not follow either concept, questioning the general rationale of pet feed composition. Whole forage like hay is recommended as the main diet component for these species, and 76 % of pet feed products noted that hay should be fed in the feeding instructions.

Pengelolaan Biaya Operasional Pendidikan Raudhatul Athfal Nurul Huda Bogor Tahun Pelajaran 2022/2023

Early Childhood Education as an educational institution to educate the life of the nation needs support from the central, regional and community levels. With that, the government launched the PAUD Education Operational Assistance (BOP) program. However, in practice, it is felt that the provision of BOP is no longer relevant to the real needs of students. This fact is due to the amount of BOP funds until 2020 has not changed and has not followed various economic conditions (inflation). This study aims to describe the management of the operational costs of Raudhatul Athfal Nurul Huda Bogor's education, especially in the 2022/2023 school year. This type of research uses qualitative data collection techniques through interviews, observation and documentation. The results of the study prove that the management of the operational costs of the Raudhatul Athfal Nurul Huda Bogor education is going well, because there is a planning process by holding an association between school principals, administration, teachers and school committees to make an activity budget for the next one year and collect requirements for disbursing Educational Operational Assistance from the government. In practice, the sources of funds received from both the government and parents of students have been allocated properly. This BOP is supervised by the school principal, teacher council and the chairman of the foundation as internal supervisors and supervisors from the sub-district as external supervisors.

School operational assistance in basic education: Organizational responses to policy complexities

This study aims to analyze variations in school responses in dealing with the complexities of School Operational Assistance (SOA) policy implementation. Several policies that gave rise to complexity in this study were included such as the policy of transferring SOA funds directly to schools, the policy of implementing the remaining SOA funds as a deduction for the following year's SOA funds, the policy of spending based on the Procurement Information System in Schools, and the policy of financial planning and reporting based on the School Activity Plan and Budget Application. The sample for this study consisted of 24 schools consisting of elementary and junior high schools that had remaining SOA funds for 2019-2021 in Yogyakarta City, Sleman Regency, and Gunung Kidul Regency. This research is qualitative research using interview techniques with school principals, SOA treasurers, and senior teachers. The data obtained were processed using the NVivo qualitative software. Based on the results of processing data sourced from interviews, there are three variations of school responses in dealing with policy complexities, namely acquiesce, compromise, and adjustment. The novelty of this study is the emergence of an adjustment response. The results of this study have an impact on policy makers so that in formulating policies it is necessary to look at old policies that are still valid so that policy actors do not experience a dilemma.

Conditions for implementation of whole school health promotion in the Netherlands

Abstract Background Around 35 years ago, the Health Promoting School (HPS) framework was introduced to promote student health behaviors. It is an integrated approach, including education, school health policy, health services, and a stimulating social and physical environment. Implementation of such whole school HPS programs often remains challenging due to the dynamic school system. In order to strengthen implementation and reduce heterogeneity in effects, the present study aimed to understand what works, for which schools and under which conditions. Methods In 2020, 535 schools filled out the HPS Implementation Questionnaire to determine the degree of HPS implementation, showing considerable variety. Based on their implementation scores, 21 ‘lower HPS’ and 22 ‘higher HPS’ schools (16 primary; 15 secondary; 12 secondary vocational) were recruited by Public Health Services for a visit in 2022 to examine differences. Data on implementation and 35 contextual factors (related to individuals, the school organization, HPS framework, and socio-political environment) were collected by observations, a semi-structured group interview, a questionnaire, document analysis, and field notes. Data were analyzed thematically in Nvivo, and will be followed up by Qualitative Comparative Analysis in R. Preliminary results Most evident conditions for degree of implementation were: 1) capacity (time), 2) employee attitude (mainly at primary schools), 3) program champion (mainly at secondary schools), 4) professional implementation support, 5) turbulence (e.g. merger), and 6) management support (mainly at secondary schools). Activity budgets and social support among employees were key factors as well, but did not explain differences in implementation. Conclusions In order to strengthen implementation of HPS programs, more efforts are needed to: 1) intensify support for schools in terms of time and professional advice, and 2) achieve a positive school climate among employees and management. Key messages • Implementation of HPS programs is challenging due to the dynamic nature of schools. • Offering support and achieving a positive school climate are crucial to strengthen HPS implementation in schools.

A comparison of scan and focal sampling in estimating activity budgets, diet composition, and proximity patterns of a wild pair-living primate.

The choice of behavioral sampling method can impact the outcome of data collection, however, few direct comparisons between methods have been made. We compared the performance of instantaneous group scan sampling (scan sampling) and focal continuous sampling with variable session durations (focal sampling) in estimating activity patterns, diet composition, and spatial proximity in seven groups of wild coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus) in Peruvian Amazonia. We used a series of paired samples Wilcoxon tests to compare daily proportions of time allocated to each type of activity/food/proximity category in each sampling method. In addition, we compared our results with those of other studies conducted on the same population of titi monkeys at other times. Focal sampling provided significantly lower estimates for moving time and significantly higher estimates for resting time compared to scan sampling, likely because scan sampling tends to give higher estimates of more conspicuous behaviors and lower estimates of less conspicuous behaviors. For diet composition, scan sampling gave similar results to other studies, while focal sampling gave significantly lower estimates for feeding on fruits and higher estimates for feeding on arthropods. The most likely reason is that focal sampling with variable session durations tends to overestimate behaviors during which a focal animal is less likely to go out of view, such as feeding on arthropods in the lower strata of the forest. Our results suggest that a pilot study comparing different methods should be conducted prior to collecting data, as not all methods are interchangeable.

DOES FARMERS' EDUCATION AFFECT THE PROFITABILITY OF SHRIMP FARMING? EVIDENCE FROM THE COASTAL REGION OF BANGLADESH

This study explores the impact of farmers' level of education on the profitability of shrimp farming. The authors have collected data from a sample of 200 shrimp farmers in three districts in the southwest region of Bangladesh, namely Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira, using a proportionate random sampling technique. The shrimp farmers' education and productivity status are investigated through descriptive statistics. The authors estimated a Cobb-Douglas Production Function (CDPF) to examine the effect of farmers' level of education on the profitability of shrimp farming. Using a Tobit regression model, this study tried to investigate the association between the educational attainment of farmers and their degree of knowledge in farm management. The study finds that the average level of shrimp production in southwestern Bangladesh is 425 kg per hectare, resulting from the absence of modern farming methods and a deficiency in adequate farming knowledge. The activity budget equation illustrates that farmers with higher education levels exhibit greater profitability compared to their less educated counterparts. The analysis of efficiency factors of production (EFP) indicates that farmers with higher education levels exhibit greater efficiency than their counterparts with lower education levels. The break-even point (BEP) analysis reveals that the average production volume, price, and the gher size in the study area outstrip the BEP threshold, suggesting that shrimp farming in this region is economically feasible. The analysis of field-level data reveals a strong association between farmers' level of education and their profitability, suggesting that higher levels of education among farmers have a substantial positive impact on their financial gains. It is evident from the study findings that knowledge of farm management plays a significant role in shrimp productivity. Therefore, the degree of farm management knowledge is affected by the education of the farmers. Consequently, this research suggests augmenting the accessibility of contemporary technology-driven farming methods and effectively utilizing information via a training initiative targeting shrimp farmers. Additionally, this study recommends offering incentives or credit opportunities to newly participating educated farmers.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CANING LAW IN ACEH FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE ACEH QANUN NUMBER 6 OF 2014 CONCERNING THE JINAYAT LAW: IS IT MORE EFFECTIVE?

The birth of the caning law in Aceh certainly aims to regulate the life order of the people in Aceh both in terms of behaviour and social aspects so that it is achieved well and is safe and prosperous based on Islamic teachings and norms. This article will briefly describe the effectiveness of applying the caning law in Aceh after enacting the Aceh Qanun Number 6 of 2014 concerning Jinayat Law. This research is qualitative with an anthropological approach using ethnographic methods with data collection techniques using three kinds of methods: in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. In contrast, data analysis uses four stages: data reduction, data organization, data verification, and conclusion. The research results show that the implementation of caning has not been able to reduce violations of Islamic law, especially in several regions. This is proven by increased cases recorded at the Aceh Sharia Court. The current ineffectiveness of caning is also influenced by the financial aspect, namely the very large budget for the caning procession activities, which is borne by the District/City Regional Governments in Aceh through the District/City Revenue Expenditure Budget (APBK) with a nominal value of one caning procession being quite large. So that it is necessary to redesign the implementation of caning in Aceh practically and economically by referring to the opinion of the Shafi'i school of fiqh, which states that the execution of caning punishment is sufficient to be witnessed by four believers, the procession of caning punishment can be carried out in a simple place, and it is enough to be witnessed by law enforcement officials to minimize budget spending so that it is more effective and efficient.

Effects of food-based enrichment on enclosure use and behavioral patterns in captive mammalian predators: a case study from an Austrian wildlife park.

Combining naturalistic enclosure design and animal welfare with visitor interests and education can be challenging for zoos and wildlife parks. To accomplish both purposes, different types of enrichment (food-based or non-food-based items, such as environmental, sensory, cognitive, social) can be used. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of food-based and olfactory enrichments on enclosure use, behavior, and visibility of captive brown bears (Ursus arctos), pine martens (Martes martes), domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and golden jackals (Canis aureus). We used observational approaches to measure enclosure use, behavior, and visibility during three different experimental phases: (1) pre-enrichment (baseline, no experience with the enrichment yet), (2) during enrichment (enrichment was provided at low frequented locations in the enclosures that are easily visible to visitors), and (3) post-enrichment (enrichment was removed from the enclosures). We found that enrichment led to a uniform use of the enclosure and enhanced visibility in brown bears, increased activity budgets in pine martens, and observed high object interaction in both species. No effects of enrichment were detected in domestic ferrets. Golden jackals did not leave their burrows during daytime during the entire observation period; thus, observations were not possible at all. Our results suggest different effects of food-based enrichment, e.g., enclosure use, temporal activity patterns, and animal visibility. However, further studies should control for the specific role of the factors involved. Our study represents one of the first explorations of food-based enrichment in rather understudied species.

Busy on campus: activity budget, feeding habit and habitat use by the Gambian sun squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus on the University of Ghana, Legon campus

Busy on campus: activity budget, feeding habit and habitat use by the Gambian sun squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus on the University of Ghana, Legon campus

Public Trust in the Implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility Program in the Border Areas of Nunukan Regency

Public trust refers to a community’s understanding of the company’s commitment to minimizing negative impacts and increasing positive benefits to the company’s mining activities. This study aims to analyze public trust in the implementation of the mining corporate social responsibility program in the North Kalimantan province. The research method applied was qualitative analysis by conducting in-depth interviews and a documentation study related to the mining corporate social responsibility program in North Kalimantan province. The results showed that public trust in the implementation of CSR programs in North Kalimantan province did not run as expected. This can be observed through the implementation of programs that are not transparent in the management of IUPs and information disclosure, which are still very limited. Similarly, accountability for program implementation is not good because of the non-detailed form of the activity budget report. Meanwhile, the government’s responsiveness still needs to be improved, both in terms of implementing the program and solving problems effectively. The government is also expected to be more assertive, have a mechanism for sanctions against companies that do not carry out the CSR program, and provide intensive guidance regarding the form of program implementation and budgeting.
 Keywords: public trust, corporate social responsibility

Activity budget and seasonal activity shifts in sympatric lemurs: Increased lean season effort in a cathemeral frugivore contrasts with energy conservation in a diurnal folivore.

One of the most fundamental aspects of a species' behavioral strategy is its activity budget; for primates this generally involves the allocation of available time among resting, feeding, traveling, and social behavior. Comparisons between species, populations, or individuals can reveal divergences in adaptive strategies and current stressors, and reflect responses to such diverse pressures as predation, thermoregulation, nutrition, and social needs. Further, variation across seasons is an important part of behavioral strategies to survive food scarcity; this can involve increasing or decreasing effort. We documented activity over the 24-h cycle for the cathemeral, frugivorous Eulemur fulvus and the diurnal, folivorous Propithecus diadema across 13-18 months at Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar. Their activity budgets were dominated by resting (E. fulvus: 74.1%; P. diadema: 85.2%), followed by feeding (15.8%, 12.4%), traveling (9.31%, 1.74%) and social activities (0.76%, 0.70%), respectively. The lower feeding and higher resting in P. diadema likely reflect slower gastrointestinal transit and higher reliance on microbial fermentation to extract energy from fibrous food. The two species showed opposite lean season strategies. E. fulvus increased activity, with more feeding but less travel time, consistent with a shift to less-profitable fruits, and some leaves and flowers, while increasing feeding effort to compensate ("energy maximizing"). P. diadema showed less variation across months, but the lean season still evoked reduced effort across the board (feeding, travel, and social behavior), consistent with a "time minimizing" strategy prioritizing energy conservation and microbe-assisted digestion. Understanding these divergent shifts is key to understanding natural behavior and the extent of behavioral flexibility under stressful conditions. Finally, the complex patterns of fruit availability (intra- and interannually) and the species' behavioral responses across months underscore the need to move beyond simplistic "lean/abundant season" and "fruit/leaf" dichotomies in understanding underlying energetic strategies, and species' vulnerability to habitat change.

Global Nitrogen Mass Flux From the Active Freshwater Aquifer Element Pool

AbstractThe estimated current global mean nitrogen concentration (geogenic + anthropogenic) in the active continental freshwater aquifer element pool is 1.1 mg/L as N, or between four and five times greater than the assumed geogenic mean. This concentration, combined with groundwater flux, generates a continental mass flux of 17 Tg N/y (teragrams of nitrogen, as N, per year) as a result of direct ocean discharge (0.67 Tg N/y), endorheic basins (1.2 Tg N/y), and cold‐wet (0.82 Tg N/y); cold‐dry (1.4 Tg N/y); warm‐dry (1.6 Tg N/y); and warm‐wet (11 Tg N/y) exorheic basins. These values are derived from a geospatial machine learning algorithm and combined groundwater‐modeled recharge in an ArcGIS environment. This active continental freshwater aquifer mass flux is between 35% and 40% of the continental integrated riverine system discharge, thus a significant component of the Earth's active continental freshwater nitrogen budget. We estimate the active continental freshwater aquifer volume to be between 1.4 and 2.8 million km3 suggesting a legacy of between 1.5 and 3.1 Pg as N (petagrams nitrogen as N) with mean residences of 90–180 years.

Analisis Sistem Pengelolaan Keuangan Dana BOS Di UPT SDN 10 BITTUANG, Kabupaten Tana Toraja

This study aims to determine the management system for School Operational Assistance Funds at UPT SDN 10 BITTUANG, Tana Toraja Regency. This research uses qualitative descriptive research with data collection procedures in the form of documentation and interviews with the school principal, treasurer and school committee. Based on the results of the analysis, it is concluded that the 2022 School Operational Assistance Fund (Regular BOS) is IDR. 76,230,000 (Seventy Six Million Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Rupiah) using School Based Management (MBS) and is in accordance with the BOS Fund financial management system and implemented with Government Regulations starting from planning in preparing the School Activity Plan and Budget (Year RKAS 2022), the use of BOS funds is in accordance with the 2022 BOS technical instructions, and reporting of BOS funds is made at each stage and at the end of the BOS fund period to be reported to the Regency and Ministry BOS Teams sent via email

SCHOOL-BASED SUPERVISION AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF GURAGE ZONE SNNPR STATE

The purpose of this study was to assess school-based supervision and school performance in secondary schools of Guraghe Zone. To conduct this study, a correlational research design was employed. One Zonal and three District Education Office supervision coordinators were selected through the availability sampling technique. Among the 77 government secondary schools found in the Zone, 10 of them were selected randomly as sample schools. From these sample schools, 10 principals and 10 school-based supervisors (10 unit leaders and 50 heads of department) were also included as respondents using the availability sampling technique. Furthermore, 286 teachers have participated in the study through purposive and availability sampling techniques. Questionnaires and document analysis were tools for collecting data in the stud. Frequency, percentage, mean, and t-test were utilized to analyze quantitative data gained through the questionnaires. The qualitative data gathered through document analyses were by narration. The results of the study indicated that teachers lack awareness and orientation on the activities and significance of school-based supervision, ineffectiveness of the practice of supervisory options matching with the individual teacher’s developmental level, and the inability of supervisors to apply the necessary procedures for classroom observation properly. This all was due to the following factors influencing such as lack of relevant training programs for supervisors, scarcity of experienced supervisors in school-based supervision activities, lack of supervision manuals in the schools, and shortage of allocated budget for supervisory activities, and that also leads to low school performance. Finally, to minimize the problems of school-based supervision and low school performance in secondary schools, it is recommended to give relevant in-service training for supervisors to upgrade their supervisory activities, necessary resources such as supervision manuals, and an adequate budget for the success of supervision at the school level were suggested so that schools can perform in a good manner.

An Assessment of National Strategic Action Plans for Viral Hepatitis Elimination, 2016-2021.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) setting goals for global hepatitis elimination. To inform new or revised viral hepatitis national strategic action plans (NSAPs) for 2022-2030, NSAPs developed during 2016-2021 were assessed for alignment with the WHO GHSS. Country NSAPs were assessed to determine if they included components in the 2016 GHSS. Of 55 country NSAPs, 19 (35%) did not include hepatitis B and C virus elimination goals, only 18 (33%) included targets for needles and syringes for persons who inject drugs, and 21 (38%) had a national budget or financing plan for hepatitis activities. Gaps identified indicate need for technical support in NSAP development.

Extending the conservation impact of great ape research: Flagship species sites facilitate biodiversity assessments and land preservation.

To inform regional conservation planning, we assessed mammalian and avian biodiversity in the Djéké Triangle, which is an intact forest with long-term research and tourism focused on western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). This critical region serves as a conservation conduit between the Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) in the Republic of Congo and the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in Central African Republic. Wildlife inventories were conducted to determine if biodiversity in the Djéké Triangle (initially part of a logging concession) was equivalent to the NNNP. Camera traps (CTs) were deployed to estimate species richness, relative abundance, naïve occupancy, and activity patterns of medium-to-large species in mixed species and monodominant Gilbertiodendron forests that comprise the majority of regional terra firma. Species inventories were collected from CTs positioned on a grid and at termite nests throughout the Djéké Triangle and compared to CTs placed in the Goualougo Triangle located within the NNNP. From 10,534 camera days at 65 locations, we identified 34 mammal and 16 bird species. Allaying concerns of wildlife depletion, metrics of species richness in the Djéké Triangle surpassed those of the Goualougo Triangle. Many species were observed to occur across habitats, while others showed habitat specificity, with termite mounds indicated as an important microhabitat feature. Our comparisons of animal activity budgets in different habitat types provide important reference information for other populations and contexts. In conclusion, this study provided empirical evidence of the high conservation value of this region that contributed to increasing the protected status of the Djéké Triangle.

Sex-specific foraging behaviour in a long-lived seabird

Sex-specific foraging behaviour may lead to differences between the sexes in both resource acquisition and exposure to threats and thereby contribute to sex-specific reproductive roles or mortality. As such, it is important to identify in which species sex-specific foraging behaviour occurs. We deployed GPS devices to incubating common terns (Sterna hirundo) from a German breeding population to study how sex and spatial or temporal extrinsic factors influence the daily activity budget, foraging distribution, and trip characteristics of this slightly sexually size dimorphic seabird. Birds of both sexes only foraged during the day, showing peaks of activity after sunrise and before sunset, perhaps in response to temporal variation in prey availability and/or as a strategy to overcome or prepare for nocturnal fasting. Furthermore, foraging was more frequent around low tide and at the beginning of the flood tide and mainly occurred in shallow (< 5 m depth) and coastal waters (< 2 km from coastline) up to 20 km from the colony. Females rested less, foraged closer to the colony in more coastal waters, and showed a lower maximum flight speed than males. Males foraged more outside protected areas than females and showed higher variability in their foraging distribution throughout the tide cycle. As such, our study provides evidence for sex-specific aspects of foraging behaviour in common terns and underlines the importance of considering sex-specific foraging distributions when assessing the impact of at-sea threats on seabirds, knowledge of which should be incorporated when developing conservation management strategies.

Effects of provisioning on the activity budget and foraging strategies of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China.

Provisioning can significantly affect the ranging patterns, foraging strategies, and time budget of wild primates. In this study, we document for the first time, the effects of provisioning on the activity budget and foraging effort in an Asian colobine. Over 3-years, we used an instantaneous scanning method at 10-min intervals to collect data on the activity budget of a semiprovisioned breeding band (SPB) of black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) (42-70 individuals) at Xiangguqing (Tacheng), Yunnan, China. We then compared the effects of provisioning in our study band with published data on a sympatric wild nonprovisioned breeding band (NPB) of R. bieti (ca. 360 monkeys) at the same field site. The SPB spent 25.6% of their daytime feeding, 17.1% traveling, 46.9% resting, and 10.3% socializing. In comparison, the NPB devoted more time to feeding (34.9%) and socializing (14.1%), less time to resting (31.3%), and was characterized by a greater foraging effort (1.74 versus 0.96, foraging effort = (feeding + traveling)/resting; see Methods). There was no difference between bands in the proportion of their activity budget devoted to traveling (15.7% vs. 17.1%). In addition, the SPB exhibited a more consistent activity budget and foraging effort across all seasons of the year compared to the NPB. These findings suggest that the distribution, availability, and productivity of naturally occurring feeding sites is a major determinant of the behavioral strategies and activity budget of R. bieti. Finally, a comparison of our results with data on six nonprovisioned R. bieti bands indicates that caution must be raised in meta-analyses or intraspecific comparisons of primate behavioral ecology that contain data generated from both provisioned and nonprovisioned groups.

Behavioral Evaluation of Laboratory-housed Ferrets (Mustela Putorius Furo) in Different Enclosure Sizes.

The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) is a common research model for infectious disease and behavioral studies. Ferrets are social animals that are commonly pair-housed. The United States has no species-specific regulatory standards for housing ferrets. Optimal enclosure dimensions have also not been investigated in this species, and cage sizes reported in the literature vary. Adequate space is an important animal welfare consideration, as smaller cages have been linked to increased incidence of stress- or boredom-related behaviors in some species. Here, we evaluated activity budget and space utilization in 2 different enclosure sizes for pair-housed female ferrets (n = 12). Single cages measured 78.7×78.7×45.7cm; double cages were comprised of 2 single cages connected by a short tunnel measuring 17.8 cm. Three pairs of ferrets were housed in each cage size and continuous video recordings were captured for 2 wk prior to crossover to the other cage size. The overall activity budget was similar between groups, with the predominant behavior being inactivity (89%). Stereotypic behaviors, such as cage biting or escape attempts, were infrequent (<0.1%) in both groups. Ferrets in double cages remained in the same cage as their partner 96% of the time, suggesting that social support is very valuable. Our results suggest that ferrets in both cage sizes experienced satisfactory welfare conditions. Our findings also suggest that while cage size is not the only determinant of conspecific aggression, larger cages may be an effective intervention to ameliorate aggression in certain ferrets based on signalment or behavioral history, with particular utility as a potential alternative to re-pairing or single-housing. This study provides valuable information to guide animal care and use programs regarding appropriate ferret housing.