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Observational Study Of Two Ex Situ North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis), Julia Rifenberg
Observational Study Of Two Ex Situ North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis), Julia Rifenberg
The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal
Zoos enable the ability to study how captive conditions impact the behaviors of animals. In this study, I observed two North American river otters housed at the Central Florida Zoo to evaluate behavioral changes after the male had been removed from the female for a month-long medical examination. The aim of this study was to 1) determine if mating behaviors were still occurring between the two river otters following the male’s removal and 2) to assess the welfare of the male and female river otters in captivity by observing their interactions and individual behaviors. Observed behaviors were compared to documented …
Studying The Effects Of Predatory Presence And Enrichment On Cryptoprocta Ferox Behavior, Julie Sharpe
Studying The Effects Of Predatory Presence And Enrichment On Cryptoprocta Ferox Behavior, Julie Sharpe
The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal
The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens houses two fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), a male and a female. C. ferox is an endangered species of Malagasy mongoose from the island of Madagascar. In October of 2018, an amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) was moved across from the male and female C. ferox. This study was used to identify if the presence of P. p. orientalis would affect the stereotypic pacing behavior of the female C. ferox. Staff were also curious about the impact of daily-renewed enrichment on the frequency of pacing in the female. Our …
Self-Injurious Behavior Of A Captive Coragyps Atratus, Jennifer Bouchenot
Self-Injurious Behavior Of A Captive Coragyps Atratus, Jennifer Bouchenot
The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal
As zoos become more numerous the challenge for keepers to ensure animal well-being and identify adverse behaviors becomes immense. Intelligent animals in captivity have a higher likelihood of participating in selfharm activities compared to their wild counterparts. Feather picking in birds is one such adverse behavior characterized by the individual breaking or removing feathers and, in severe cases, excision of the skin. This behavior increases the susceptibility to sickness and infection. In this study, a feather-picking captive Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) was observed preening, resting, and displaying self-mutilating behavior. Collected data were compared with a second non-mutilating specimen. …
Social Behavior In A Herd Of Captive Male Giraffes, Patrick Ziarnowski, Kaidi Fenrich
Social Behavior In A Herd Of Captive Male Giraffes, Patrick Ziarnowski, Kaidi Fenrich
The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal
Giraffes (Giraffa spp.) are a common feature of zoological institutions, where conditions differ from those of the wild, a reality that may cause behavioral changes. A recent management technique has been to house all-male herds in zoos that have not been selected for giraffe breeding, with breeding confined to certain zoos. To date, no studies have looked at social behavior in captive herds comprised exclusively of males. In a herd of one adult (named Emba) and two subadult male giraffes (named Rafiki and Gage), the dominant adult giraffe, Emba, demonstrated sociosexual behavior—apparent courtship, investigation, and flehmen responses—almost exclusively …