Effects of Nearby Construction Work on the Behavior of Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica)
Autor: | Lisa Holmes, Leah J. Williams, Rose Agnew, Katherine Finch |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
construction
media_common.quotation_subject sound biology.animal Animal welfare 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences 050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology individual differences Out stress media_common lion biology behavior Visitor pattern 05 social sciences 0402 animal and dairy science 04 agricultural and veterinary sciences Animal husbandry 040201 dairy & animal science Fishery welfare Geography Physical Barrier Work (electrical) Panthera Welfare |
Zdroj: | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 5-74 |
ISSN: | 2673-5636 |
Popis: | In order to be successful and have high standards of animal welfare, modern zoos strive to regularly modify, improve, and build animal enclosures and visitor areas. However, these periods of development could result in temporary durations of sub-optimal welfare for animals housed nearby. In this study, we monitored the behavior of three Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) prior to, during, and following a period of construction on a nearby building. Our results provide evidence that welfare may have been temporarily reduced during the construction period. Compared to the pre-construction period, the male exhibited an increase in pacing behavior and all three lions reduced the time they spent resting. We infer that the most significant negative stimulus related to the construction was sound and/or ground vibrations, as a physical barrier ruled out stress from visual stimuli. The behavioral response to the construction work was relatively short-lived and no long-term changes were observed one year on. This research highlights the importance of measuring animal behavior around events outside routine husbandry, and considering animal welfare on an individual basis. Finally, this work adds to the body of literature surrounding the impacts of construction on animal wellbeing and outlines some suggestions for potential mitigation. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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