Animal Behavior at the Miller Park Zoo: Effects of Keeper and Public Presence
Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2015
Location
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-18-2015 2:00 PM
End Date
4-18-2015 3:00 PM
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract
Animal welfare, especially for animals living in captivity, is of utmost importance, not only for ethical reasons, but legally (Animal Welfare Act, 1966). To ensure the health and well being of animals, particularly those in zoos, they must be observed regularly for healthy species typical behavior as well as unhealthy stereotype behavior (i.e., pacing, over grooming etc). We observed four primate species (callimico, red handed tamarin, Mueller gibbons, red ruffed lemurs) and two marsupials (wallabies and wallaroos) at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois to examine behavioral differences in the presence and absence of zookeepers and the general public. Animals were observed daily and their behavior scored using ethograms compiled from Ethosearch.org. Behavior of the animals in the presence and absence of zookeepers and general public will be discussed.
Animal Behavior at the Miller Park Zoo: Effects of Keeper and Public Presence
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Animal welfare, especially for animals living in captivity, is of utmost importance, not only for ethical reasons, but legally (Animal Welfare Act, 1966). To ensure the health and well being of animals, particularly those in zoos, they must be observed regularly for healthy species typical behavior as well as unhealthy stereotype behavior (i.e., pacing, over grooming etc). We observed four primate species (callimico, red handed tamarin, Mueller gibbons, red ruffed lemurs) and two marsupials (wallabies and wallaroos) at the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois to examine behavioral differences in the presence and absence of zookeepers and the general public. Animals were observed daily and their behavior scored using ethograms compiled from Ethosearch.org. Behavior of the animals in the presence and absence of zookeepers and general public will be discussed.