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Behavior as a tool for welfare improvement and conservation management in the endangered lizard ( Gallotia bravoana )
Contributor(s):: Mesa-Avila, G., Molina-Borja, M.
The study assessed the behavior of Gallotia bravoana (La Gomera, Canary Islands, one of the world's most threatened reptiles) to facilitate management decisions and improve welfare during initial stages of a species' recovery plan. The study analyzed - and remote-controlled video cameras filmed -...
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Caregiver perceptions of what indoor cats do "for fun"
Contributor(s):: Shyan-Norwalt, M. R.
In a survey conducted to determine enrichment activities for indoor cats in the caregivers' homes, 304 indoor-cat caregivers answered structured interviews about their cats' use of windows and other "fun activities." The survey asked caregivers about durations of window use, what cats watched...
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Effects of three food enrichment items on the behavior of black lemurs ( Eulemur macaco macaco ) and ringtail lemurs ( Lemur catta ) at the Henson Robinson Zoo, Springfield, Illinois
Contributor(s):: Maloney, M. A., Meiers, S. T., White, J., Romano, M. A.
This study tested 3 food enrichment items mentioned in a laboratory primate newsletter with 6 adult Eulemur macaco and 3 adult Lemur catta to examine whether the items would affect the behavior of the lemurs. The results suggest that Food Enrichment Item 3 (a wire box filled with whole grapes,...
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Enclosure design and space utilization by Indian leopards ( Panthera pardus ) in four zoos in Southern India
Contributor(s):: Avanti, Mallapur, Qamar, Qureshi, Ravi, Chellam
Enclosure design and the use of enclosure space influence the activity budget of captive leopards. The study laid out in grids all enclosures on the base map and segregated these grids into 4 zones. Every 5 min, the study recorded the proportion of time spent in these zones with the leopards'...
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Environmental effects on the behavior of zoo-housed lions and tigers, with a case study of the effects of a visual barrier on pacing
Contributor(s):: Bashaw, M. J., Kelling, A. S., Bloomsmith, M. A., Maple, T. L.
Tigers and lions in the wild are nocturnal nonhuman animals who may hunt and mate opportunistically during daylight hours. In captivity, they spend most time on exhibit sleeping or pacing. To better understand their activity budget, this study examined the daily behavior patterns of 2 Sumatran...
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Introducing a semi-naturalistic exhibit as structural enrichment for two brown bears ( Ursus arctos ). Does this ensure their captive well-being?
Contributor(s):: Soriano, A. I., Ensenyat, C., Serrat, S., Mate, C.
In this study we used the daily activity pattern and use of space as indicators of change in the program of structural enrichment, implemented with 2 subjects of the species Ursus arctos in the Barcelona Zoo. We collected 930 sampling points in each study phase for each of the individuals: The...
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Physiological arousal for companion dogs working with their owners in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy
Contributor(s):: Haubenhofer, D. K., Kirchengast, S.
This study investigated the physiological reactions of companion dogs (Canis familiaris) used in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy by measuring salivary cortisol concentrations. The dog caregivers (owners) collected saliva samples (a) at 3 control days without therapeutic...
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The influence of the location of a nest box in an individually ventilated cage on the preference of mice to use it
Contributor(s):: Kostomitsopoulos, N. G., Paronis, E., Alexakos, P., Balafas, E., Loo, P. van, Baumans, V.
The improvement of housing conditions for mice by using environmental enrichment materials is of high concern for the scientific community. Plastic, autoclavable nest boxes are commercially available and ready to use for specific cases such as in individually ventilated cages, metabolic cages, or...
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The physiological and behavioural impact of sensory contact among unfamiliar adult mice in the laboratory
Contributor(s):: Rettich, A., Kasermann, H. P., Pelczar, P., Burki, K., Arras, M.
Housing mice in the laboratory in groups enables social interaction and is the way a laboratory should house mice. However, adult males show reciprocal aggression and are therefore frequently housed individually. Alternatively, a grid divider, which allows sensory contact by sight and smell but...
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Development of affinity to the stockperson in lambs from two breeds
| Contributor(s):: Caroprese, M., Napolitano, F., Boivin, X., Albenzio, M., Annicchiarico, G., Sevi, A.
The interactions between genetic and environmental factors on the development of lamb affinity to humans was assessed on 48 animals from two breeds (Gentile di Puglia and Comisana) and two treatments (Gentled and Not Gentled) producing 4 groups (GPg, GPng, Cg, Cng, respectively). The Gentile di...
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Impact of lameness on behavior and productivity of lactating Holstein cows
| Contributor(s):: Juarez, S. T., Robinson, P. H., DePeters, E. J., Price, E. O.
The impact of lameness on behaviour and milk production of multiparity Holstein cows was examined on two commercial dairy farms. Pens of cows were selected based on distance from the milking parlour. Cows within each pen were locomotion scored to quantify lameness severity. Based on their...
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The effects of operant control over food and light on the behaviour of domestic hens
| Contributor(s):: Taylor, P. E., Coerse, N. C. A., Haskell, M.
In intensive farming systems, the animals have little control over important elements in their environments. For instance, food of a pre-set type is delivered at set times, and the lighting schedule is controlled by the farmer. It has been suggested that low levels of environmental control over...
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Activity, oral behaviour and slaughter data as welfare indicators in veal calves: a comparison of three housing systems
| Contributor(s):: Bokkers, E. A. M., Koene, P.
A study was conducted to compare activity, oral behaviour and slaughter data of veal calves kept in three different housing systems: (1) individual housing (IH) where calves are kept in individual crates, (2) group housing (GH) where calves are kept in individual crates during the first 8 weeks...
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Effects of environmental stressors on deep body temperature and activity levels in silver fox vixens (Vulpes vulpes)
| Contributor(s):: Bakken, M., Moe, R. O., Smith, A. J., Selle, G. M. E.
The present study was performed to investigate the effects of 14 different environmental stimuli on stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) and levels of locomotor activity in 6 (3 infanticidal (killed their offspring during the previous year), 3 non-infanticidal) 2.5-year-old silver fox vixens. The...
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The effect of irregular feeding times on the behaviour and growth of dairy calves
| Contributor(s):: Johannesson, T., Ladewig, J.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of predictable vs. unpredictable management routines on the behaviour, production and health of dairy calves. Three different feeding schedules for milk-fed dairy calves (Holstein-Friesian) were compared. All calves received milk twice a day,...
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The interaction between stockpeople and buffaloes in parlor
| Contributor(s):: Rodrigues, D. A., Ramirez-Diaz, J., Silva, A. A., Rocha, L. M., Tonhati, H.
Aiming evaluate the influence of the actions of stockpeople in buffaloes behavior in the parlor, 271 buffaloes were observed on day-control, in the morning, in mechanized milking, belonging to 3 properties in State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We recorded the milking time (TO), the time spent in the...
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A note on the behaviour of the chicken that receives feather pecks
| Contributor(s):: Riber, A. B., Forkman, B.
Basic knowledge of feather pecking on the individual level is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether active and inactive individuals preferentially attract feather pecking. Female layer hen chicks were housed in six pens with each 15 chicks. Each occurrence of gentle and...
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Effects of shelter and body condition on the behaviour and physiology of dairy cattle in winter
| Contributor(s):: Tucker, C. B., Rogers, A. R., Verkerk, G. A., Kendall, P. E., Webster, J. R., Matthews, L. R.
Our objective was to understand how body condition and shelter affected behavioural and physiological responses of dairy cattle during winter weather. Twenty non-lactating dairy cows were divided into two groups of 10. Within each group, five animals had a high body condition score (9 out of 10)...
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Feeding behaviour and daily energy expenditure of domesticated budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): influence of type of housing and vertical position of the feeder
| Contributor(s):: Schnegg, A., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Keller, P., Visser, G. H., Steiger, A.
Obesity is a common health problem in captive budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). The welfare of budgerigars would be increased in a housing system limiting obesity. The aim of this study was to measure the influence of 3 different housing types on feeding behaviour and energy balance....
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Influence of different types of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems: 2. Ratio of pigs to enrichment
| Contributor(s):: Scott, K., Taylor, L., Gill, B. P., Edwards, S. A.
The aims of this study were to assess the effects of: (1) environmental enrichment with either straw bedding or a hanging manipulable toy and (2) the ratio of pigs to environmental enrichment when toys are provided. One thousand and twenty four (Large White x Landrace) x Large White pigs were...
