Journal article
Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding
Zoo Biology, Vol.35(5), pp.385-397
2016
Abstract
Multi-zoo comparisons of animal welfare are rare, and yet vital for ensuring continued improvement of zoo enclosures and husbandry. Methods are not standardized for the development of zoo enclosures based on multiple indicators, and case study species are required. This study compares behavior and breeding success to various enclosure and husbandry parameters for the Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti, for the development of improved enclosure design. Behavioral sampling was completed at Flamingo Land over a period of 8 months. Further data on behavior, enclosure design, and breeding success were collected via questionnaires, visits to zoos, and literature review. Breeding success was primarily influenced by colony age and number of breeding pairs, suggesting an important social influence on reproduction. Across zoos, there was also significant variation in behavior. The proportion of time spent in water varied between zoos (2-23%) and was used as an indicator of physical activity and natural behavior. Regression models revealed that water-use was best predicted by total enclosure area per penguin, followed by land area, with some evidence for positive influence of pool surface area per penguin. Predominantly linear/curvilinear increases in our biological indicators with enclosure parameters suggest that optimal conditions for S. humboldti were not met among the selected zoos. We propose revised minimum conditions for S. humboldti enclosure design, which exceed those in the existing husbandry guidelines. We present a framework for the evaluation of zoo enclosures and suggest that a rigorous scientific protocol be established for the design of new enclosures, based on multivariate methods. Zoo Biol. 35:385-397, 2016. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Details
- Title
- Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding
- Authors
- Andrew R Marshall (Author) - University of York, United KingdomN J Deere (Author) - University of York, United KingdomH A Little (Author) - University of York, United KingdomR Snipp (Author) - University of York, United KingdomJ Goulder (Author) - University of York, United KingdomS Mayer-Clarke (Author) - University of York, United Kingdom
- Publication details
- Zoo Biology, Vol.35(5), pp.385-397
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1002/zoo.21313
- ISSN
- 0733-3188
- Copyright note
- This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Marshall, A.R., Deere, N.J., Little, H.A., Snipp, R., Goulder, J. and Mayer-Clarke, S. (2016), Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding. Zoo Biology, 35: 385-397. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21313, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21313. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
- Organisation Unit
- Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451065402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Veterinary Sciences
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