EVALUATION OF PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS FOLLOWING THE USE OF FECAL SAMPLES AS SENSORY STIMULI
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of using fecal samples as sensory enrichment in zoos to improve animal welfare and interactions between predators and prey. The main objective was to analyze changes in behavior and stress levels, measured through fecal cortisol, in six different species. An experiment was designed in which fecal samples were exchanged between predators and prey, observing their behavioral and physiological responses. The results indicated an increase in active behavior in predators and an increase in avoidance behaviors and cortisol levels in prey. These findings suggest that sensory stimulation through feces can stimulate natural behaviors in predator but may also induce stress in prey. It is recommended to expand the sample size and species diversity in future studies to validate these results.
Downloads
References
Arias, N., Requena, M., & Palme, R. (2013). Measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a non-invasive tool for monitoring adrenocortical activity in South American camelids. Animal Welfare, 22(1), 25-31.
Baker, W.K. Jr., Campbell, R. & Gilbert, J. (1997) Enriching the pride: scents that make sense. The Shape of Enrichment, 6, 1–3.
Barreto, G. R., & Macdonald, D. W. (1999). The response of water voles, Arvicola terrestris, to the odours of predators. Animal Behaviour, 57(5), 1107-1112.
Beaulieu-McCoy, N. E., Sherman, K. K., Trego, M. L., Crocker, D. E., & Kellar, N. M. (2017). Initial validation of blubber cortisol and progesterone as indicators of stress response and maturity in an otariid; the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). General and comparative endocrinology, 252, 1-11.
Boon, M. (2003). Goeldi’s monkeys (Callimico goeldii): olfactory enrichment to stimulate natural behaviour and greater activity. T. Gilbert (Ed.), Proceedings of the 5th Annual Symposium on Zoo Research, Marwell Zoo, UK, 212-224.
Buchanan-Smith, H. M., Anderson, D. A., & Ryan, C. W. (1993). Responses of Cotton-Top Tamarins (Saguinus Oedipus) to Faecal Scents of Predators and Non-Predators. Animal Welfare, 2(1), 17-32.
Caine, N. G., & Weldon, P. J. (1989). Responses by Red-Bellied Tamarins (Saguinus labiatus) to Fecal Scents of Predatory and Non-predatory Neotropical Mammals. Biotropica, 21(2), 186.
Castillo-Guevara, C., Unda-Harp, K., Lara, C., & Serio-Silva, J. C. (2012). Enriquecimiento ambiental y su efecto en la exhibición de comportamientos estereotipados en jaguares (Panthera onca) del Parque Zoológico «Yaguar Xoo», Oaxaca. Acta Zoológica Mexicana, 365-377.
Chabot, D., Gagnon, P., & Dixon, E. A. (1996). Effect of predator odors on heart rate and metabolic rate of wapiti (Cervus elaphus canadensis). Journal of Chemical Ecology, 22(4), 839-868.
Del Rosario, M. (2023). Enriquecimiento ambiental para monos araña (Ateles geoffroyi) en el Centro Mexicano de Rehabilitación de Primates. Tesis de licenciatura, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco.
Goymann, W., Möstl, E., Van’T Hof, T., East, M. L., & Hofer, H. (1999). Noninvasive Fecal Monitoring of Glucocorticoids in Spotted Hyenas, Crocuta crocuta. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 114(3), 340-348.
Greenwell, P. J., Riley, L. M., Lemos de Figueiredo, R., Brereton, J. E., Mooney, A., & Rose, P. E. (2023). The Societal Value of the Modern Zoo: A Commentary on How Zoos Can Positively Impact on Human Populations Locally and Globally. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 2023, Vol. 4, Pages 53-69, 4(1), 53-69.
Guerra, M. R. (2006). Conservación de la biodiversidad: una tarea nueva para los parques zoológicos. Ambienta: la revista del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, (61), 34-41.
Hegab, I. M., Ai, Q. W., Yin, B. F., Yang, S. M., & Wei, W. H. (2013). Behavioral and neuroendocrine response of Brandt’s voles, Lasiopodomys brandtii, to odors of different species. European Journal of Wildlife Research.
Kappel, P., Hohenbrink, S., & Radespiel, U. (2011). Experimental evidence for olfactory predator recognition in wild mouse lemurs. American Journal of Primatology, 73(9), 928-938.
Kohn, B. (1994). Zoo animal welfare. Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz, 13(1), 233-245.
Kolden, C. V, & Schulte, L. M. (2022). The effects of olfactory stimulation on the behaviour of captive slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus). Behavioural Processes, 200, 104702.
Lara Garduño, M., & Sánchez-Rojas, G. (2021). Los zoológicos: un componente importante para la preservación de las especies. Herreriana, 2(2), 19-24.
Ley 7/2023, de 28 de marzo, sobre la protección de los derechos y bienestar de los animales. BOE-A-2023-7936.
Manteca, X., & Salas, M. (2015b). Las estereotipias como indicadores de bienestar en animales de zoológico. Zoo Animal Welfare Education Centre, 2.
Martin, P., Bateson, P. (2007) Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide. Quinta Edición. Cambridge University Press, Reino Unido.
Martínez-Mota, R., y Valdespino, C., Sánchez-Ramos, M. A., & Serio-Silva, J. C. (2007). Effects of forest fragmentation on the physiological stress response of black howler monkeys. Animal Conservation, 10(3), 374-379.
Mason, G. J. (1991). Stereotypies: a critical review. Animal Behaviour, 41(6), 1015-1037.
Mason, G., Clubb, R., Latham, N., & Vickery, S. (2006). Why and how should we use environmental enrichment to tackle stereotypic behaviour? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 102, 3-4, 2 2007.
Millspaugh, J. J., & Washburn, B. E. (2004). Use of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite measures in conservation biology research: considerations for application and interpretation. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 138(3), 189-199.
Monclús, R., Rödel, H. G., Von Holst, D., & De Miguel, J. (2005). Behavioural and physiological responses of naïve European rabbits to predator odour. Animal Behaviour, 70(4), 753-761.
Monfort, S. L., Brown, J. L., & Wildt, D. E. (1993). Episodic and seasonal rhythms of cortisol secretion in male Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi thamin). The Journal of endocrinology, 138(1), 41-49.
Pearson, J. (2002). On a roll: novel objects and scent enrichment for Asiatic lions. The Shape of Enrichment, 11, 7–10.
Rafacz, M. L., & Santymire, R. M. (2014). Using odor cues to elicit a behavioral and hormonal response in zoo-housed African wild dogs. Zoo Biology, 33(2), 144-149.
Schapiro, S. J., Bloomsmith, M. A., Suarez, S. A., & Porter, L. M. (1996). Effects of social and inanimate enrichment on the behavior of yearling rhesus monkeys. American Journal of Primatology, 40(3), 247-260.
Schuett, E.B. & Frase, B.A. (2001) Making scents: using the olfactory senses for lion enrichment. The Shape of Enrichment, 10, 1–3.
Stanton, L. A., Sullivan, M. S., & Fazio, J. M. (2015). A standardized ethogram for the felidae: A tool for behavioral researchers. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 173, 3-16.
Stead, S. K., Meltzer, D. G. A., & Palme, R. (2000). The measurement of glucocorticoid concentrations in the serum and faeces of captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) after ACTH stimulation. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 71(3), 192-196.
Sündermann, D., Scheumann, M., & Zimmermann, E. (2008). Olfactory Predator Recognition in Predator-Naïve Gray Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus murinus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 122(2), 146-155.
Valdespino, C., Asa, C. S., & Bauman, J. E. (2002). Estrous cycles, copulation, and pregnancy in the fennec fox (Vulpes zerda). Journal of Mammalogy, 83(1), 99-109.
Wells, D. L. (2009). Sensory stimulation as environmental enrichment for captive animals: A review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 118(1-2), 1-11.
Wielebnowski, N. (2003). Stress and distress: evaluating their impact for the well-being of zoo animals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 223(7), 973-977.
Young, R.J. (2003). Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. Black-well Science Ltd., Oxford.
Copyright (c) 2024 Servicio de Publicaciones, University of Murcia (Spain)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
The works published in this journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publications Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) retains the property rights (copyright) of published works, and encourages and enables the reuse of the same under the license specified in paragraph 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2019
2. The works are published in the online edition of the journal under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (legal text). You can copy, use, distribute, transmit and publicly display, provided that: i) you cite the author and the original source of publication (journal, editorial and URL of the work), ii) are not used for commercial purposes, iii ) mentions the existence and specifications of this license.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
3. Conditions of self-archiving. Is allowed and encouraged the authors to disseminate electronically pre-print versions (version before being evaluated and sent to the journal) and / or post-print (version reviewed and accepted for publication) of their works before publication, as it encourages its earliest circulation and diffusion and thus a possible increase in its citation and scope between the academic community. RoMEO Color: Green.
