Methods of Behavioral Assessment Constructing Behavioral Profiles For Zoo Animals Incorporating Behavioral Information Into Captive Population Management

Written by
Kathy Carlstead, Ph.D
National Zoological Park

Edited by
David Shepherdson
Chris Shepppard
Jill Mellen
Cynthia Bennett

Published by
Behavioral and Husbandry Advisory Group
American Zoological Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Summary
A primary objective of zoo exhibition and propagation programs, now and into the future, is to maintain viable captive populations of endangered species. Captive populations are currently managed through AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP) and other groups (e.g., TAGs, CAPs, PMPs, SAGs, etc). SSPs maintain genetic variability and demographic stability in small populations through controlled captive breeding. They also help to coordinate effective methods of husbandry for a species. To achieve these goals, species management programs have relied on the cross-institutional assessment of individual genetic endowment, reproductive condition, and institutional husbandry methods. One of the most challenging aspects of species management is making husbandry recommendations that facilitate the reproductive potential of all individuals in the managed population.

Zoo biologists recognize a need to also consider behavioral characteristics of individual animals of a species as an additional aspect of population management. Husbandry-related behavior problems may undermine the demographic or genetic management goals of captive propagation programs. Some examples of these problems are lack of mate choice, pair incompatibility, insufficient sexual or hormonal activity, inadequate early rearing experience, failure of some individuals to breed under identical environmental conditions in which others are successful, differences in disease susceptibility, and deleterious effects of humans on animals. To solve such problems, a standardized method is needed to describe and quantify the behavior of a large number of animals housed in many different institutions.

The "Methods of Behavioral Assessment" Project (MBA), funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution, aims to improve the capacity of zoos to propagate species by integrating standardized behavioral assessment techniques into the management of small populations. This cooperative project involving researchers from 12 North American zoos resulted in the development of simple, rapid, and generalizable data collection and analysis techniques for assessing the behavior of individual animals. Our methods were developed on four model endangered species exhibiting inconsistent reproductive results in zoos: black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli and minor), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus), and great hornbill (Buceros bicornis).

The central component of MBA Project methods are behavior profiles that can be used for the cross-institutional comparison of individual animals in relation to variability between zoos in facilities and other environmental features. Behavior profiles also offer a method to identify behavioral differences between successful and non-successful breeders, to track behavioral changes due to improved or altered husbandry techniques, and to conduct assessments of long term behavioral changes associated with genetic characteristics of a captive population. Because direct observation at many institutions is time consuming and costly, our methodology relies on the observations and impressions of keepers who work with animals on a daily basis. Keepers observe and integrate how an animal behaves and reacts under a variety of conditions and situations. They assess the flow of behavior over time, or changes in the character and intensity of behavior in a variety of situations (Wemelsfelder, 1997), whereas direct observers record frequencies and durations in specific situations. Thus a different category of behavioral measurement is obtained from keeper ratings than from direct observation. Our methodology development has validated that this category of measurement is valid for comparing behavioral characteristics of animals housed in different zoos.

This manual has been written to assist SSP Coordinators and other program managers in the zoo community with analyzing and solving species propagation problems suspected to be caused by behavior problems or inadequate husbandry. Behavioral scientists of the AZA Behavioral and Husbandry Advisory Group (BHAG), using this manual, will serve as assistants to any Species Manager or Researcher wishing to carry out cross-institutional behavioral research to improve captive husbandry.

To meet the differing needs of Species Managers/Researchers and Behavioral Advisors, the manual is divided into two parts. Part One provides an overview of behavior profiles, how they can be applied to solve husbandry problems, and how a species coordinator should go about instigating a cross-institutional behavior survey. Part Two explains, in detail, our methodology for surveying and analyzing behavioral characteristics of individual animals housed in different zoos. This part of the manual is intended as a guideline for Behavioral Scientists assisting and advising species coordinators in the set-up and analysis of their cross-institutional surveys.

Project researchers

The techniques described in this manual are the result of a six-year long project that involved surveying hundreds of animals at nearly 80 zoos, mostly in North America, but also in Europe and Australia. We would like to express sincere appreciation to the many participants in our surveys who are far too numerous to mention by name. Following is a list of the former and current scientific collaborators on the MBA project who participated in the project design, data collection and publication stages of the project.

Principal Investigators

Collaborators

* denotes researcher's supporting institution at the time of MBA collaboration.

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