Geoffrey R. Hosey

The influence of zoo visitors on the behaviour of captive primates

Abstract Data were collected for four behavioural measures (number of interactions with the audience, number of interactions with cage-mates, levels of locomotory activity, and spatial dispersion in the cage) in 12 different species of primates under 5 audience conditions (no audience, small active groups, large active groups, small passive groups and large passive groups) in an attempt to quantify the effects that an audience of zoo visitors have on primates kept in zoos. The animals attempted to interact with audiences in all audience conditions, but significantly more behaviours were directed at active than at passive audiences, particularly if the active audience was large. The presence of the public appeared to have no significant effect overall on the frequency of interactions between primates in the same group. However, locomotory activity was significantly increased in animals confronted with both large and small active audiences, and there was also an indication that animals spent more time at the front of the cage when a large active audience was present. It was concluded that zoo primates do not habituate completely to the presence of the public, nor do they ignore them. On the contrary, the mere presence of zoo visitors influences primate behaviour to a greater extent than has previously been thought.

Drinking from tails: Social learning of a novel behaviour in a group of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Several examples have been documented of novel behaviours which have apparently arisen spontaneously in primate groups and then spread through the group by learning. Here we describe the first recorded instance of such an acquired behaviour in a prosimian. The behaviour, consisting of immersing the tail in water and then drinking from the wet tail, was observed in a group of semi free-ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Seventeen of 28 animals showed the behaviour, including adult males. Several animals which did not show the behaviour were observed watching and sometimes sharing the wet tail of animals who did. Several incomplete sequences, notably of non-stimulus directed elements, were also seen in non-performers. It is likely that stimulus enhancement is the mechanism of spread of this behaviour through the group, although the presence of the incomplete sequences suggests that imitation is also a possibility.

Grooming and touching behaviour in captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta L.)

The distribution of grooming and touching behaviours was recorded in a group of captive ring-tailed lemurs. Grooming was found to be performed chiefly by older, higher ranking animals; touching (i.e., “reach out and touch” behaviour) was directed primarily by younger, low ranking animals to older, high ranking individuals. It is suggested that such touching is a submissive gesture in this species.

Social organization in captive barbary macaques (Macaca sylvana)

The hierarchy of a captive group of barbary macaques is compared with published accounts of the hierarchy of a wild-living group. Subordinate behaviours are correlated with rank in the captive group, but both dominant and subordinate behaviours are significant in the wild population. The relevance of this toRowells views on hierarchies is discussed.

Research in zoos: From behaviour to sex ratio manipulation

The role of the zoo in modem society has changed substantially in the last couple of decades. Increasing public awareness of, and interest in, issues of animal welfare and conservation have led zoos to redefine their mission and purpose statements so that most now see their primary role as being the conservation of endangered species. But conservation is a scientific endeavour whose practice must be underpinned by good quality research, and much of that research, to define both theory and practice, can be appropriately undertaken in the zoo. This has been recognised as a priority in the World Zoo Conservation Strategy (IUDZG/CBSG(IUCN/SSC), 1993). Thus we have seen a dramatic increase in zoo-based research in recent years, and an increased willingness of zoos to support or sponsor their own research. It remains the case, however, that the majority of zoo-based research is applied, in the sense of being designed to solve particular problems of animal management. The theoretical bases of conservation and animal welfare are derived mostly from research undertaken outside the zoo. Thus it is important to maintain links between these different research communities and promote the possibilities that zoos can provide for research which advances theory as well as that which defines good practice. It was with this in mind that we organised a workshop to address some of these issues. The purpose of the workshop, which was held at Rotterdam Zoo in July 1995, was to bring together researchers from zoos and academic institutions to explore ways in which theoretical and empirical research could advance animal management and conservation. The particular topic chosen was that of sex allocation, which is of theoretical interest to behavioural ecologists and of applied interest to those who have to manage genetically viable populations of captive animals. This special issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science is devoted to the major contributions from that workshop. The workshop was divided into two sections. The first of these was more general in character and examined the potential of the zoo for scientific research. On the one hand the significance of research data to captive management was discussed while on the other the suitability of the zoo are a research venue was evaluated. The second section