Zoo Setting Research Articles

A QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF DOMINANCE RELATIONS AMONG BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

AbstractAgonistic behavior of bottlenose dolphins was studied at Brookfield Zoo for nearly 4.5 yr, and dominance relationships were determined using a quantitative technique adapted from primate behavioral research. Dominance relations among dolphins were influenced by the gender of participants. Male dolphins were clearly and consistently dominant to females, and intersexual agonism occurred at moderate rates with seasonal peaks in spring and fall. Dominance relationships among female dolphins were age‐ordered and stable, even though agonism among females did occur at uniformly low rates. In contrast, the two males had a changeable dominance relationship in which periods of stability and low‐level agonism were interspersed with episodes of intense competition. Zoo‐based research revealed patterns of behavior that conformed to current knowledge about bottlenose dolphin social structure. Moreover, research in a zoo setting facilitated development of a quantitative technique that can be used to assess cetacean dominance relationships in field research.

Relative Contributions of Urine and Anal-Sac Secretions in Scent Marks of Large Felids

SYNOPSIS. A hypothesis generated from field observations of lions and tigers was tested in a zoo setting. The presence of a whitish material in urine marks, detected by visual inspection, led to the surmise that analsac secretions were expelled along with urine. This hypothesis was evaluated by labelling anal-sac secretions of various felids with an inert dye. The animals were monitored thereafter for signs of dye in urine-marks, on feces or in their enclosures. The failure to find anal-sac secretions in urine or on feces led to a search for an alternate explanation for the whitish material. A likely answer was found in the confirmation of considerable lipid in the bladder urine of lions and tigers, which separates to form a visible, whitish layer. Relative levels of urinary lipid reflect general condition of an animal as they correlate with kidney fat reserves (Hewer et al. , 1948), so the amount of lipid in a scent mark could serve as an indicator of condition. Furthermore, because lipid retards the release of volatile compounds (Regnier and Goodwin, 1976), lipid in a scent mark will extend release time of a pheromonal message.

Evaluation of liquid nitrogen and dry ice–alcohol refrigerants for freeze marking three mammal species

AbstractDegus (Octodon degus), Patagonian cavies (Dolichotis patagonum), and mouflon (Ovis musimon) were freeze marked with instruments refrigerated in liquid nitrogen or a mixture of dry ice and alcohol. The instruments were pressed against the skin of the animal for various trial durations. Recommended exposure durations with dry ice‐alcohol refrigerant were: degus—28 sec; cavies—≈ 18 sec (estimated); mouflon—12 sec. While unsatisfactory results were obtained with the liquid nitrogen refrigerant on degus and cavies, an exposure duration of 8 sec was recommended for mouflon. With mouflon, the site of the mark influenced the appropriate exposure duration for both refrigerants. With degus, moderate overexposure resulted in acceptable marks as much of the length of peripheral white hairs was exposed due to the lack of hair in the central bare area. The dry ice‐alcohol refrigerant yielded much greater exposure latitude and consistency, indicating its superiority for freeze marking, especially in a zoo setting.

Social behavior in a group of orang-utans ( Pongo pygmaeus abelii) in a zoo setting

A group of orang-utans ( Pongo pygmaeus abelii), consisting of one adult male, three females and two young, were observed at the Sedgwick County Zoo (Wichita, KS). A quick, reliable, time-sampling technique was used throughout the day under conditions of public exhibition. Social interactions were defined and recorded as associations based on contact between and among animals, and in terms of close spatial relationships without contact (non-contact association). The activities of the two offspring, of one of the adult females and the adult male were primarily responsible for social groupings with different animals which were not constrained by the conditions of captivity. The data gathered by this non-intrusive technique corroborated observations under other conditions reported in the literature including those of one of our animals in another zoo setting.

Infectious diseases of nonhuman primates in a zoo setting

Infections and diseases are a major cause for concern as well as loss of animal life in the zoo setting. This problem is the result of contact with agents such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, rickettsia, chlamydia, or viruses. Control of such infections and diseases is difficult principally because of the design and purpose of the zoo itself. However, infection and disease can be minimized with appropriate recognition of the problem and training of personnel to limit the spread of infectious organisms. Biohazards need to be considered not only among the various animal populations, but with regard to human contacts, particularly in relation to nonhuman primates.

The Evolution of Educational Graphics in Zoos

Both the style and content of zoo graphics have evolved over the years to reflect changes in thought about what zoos should communicate to their visitors and changes in the perception of visitors' behavior. Styles of graphics have evolved through the "Ages of Graphics" to the present-day "minimal" stage of sleek, high-quality materials. Modern graphics communicate the agenda of zoos within a broad social context and are more conducive to experiential learning than are the graphics of the past. The evaluation of zoo signage has focused typically on the efficacy of a sign in communicating a direction or thought. Future evaluation needs to consider the nature of visitors' interactive experiences within the zoo setting and implement these findings in graphic designs.

Discrimination learning and extinction in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

A series of three studies support the possibility of working with large nonlaboratory animals in a zoo setting. Position responses were quite strong and performance curves tended to produce straight lines.