Jones_snow_leopard_poster
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Analysis of behaviors and spatial preferences in captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia) Kimber Jones, Sarah Boyle, and Andy Kouba Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah Boyle Rhodes College and Memphis Zoo Introduction •Captive breeding attempts are necessary to maintain the population size and genetic viability of endangered snow leopards 1 . •Captive snow leopards are not stressed by hunger, disease, or competition; however, boredom and small enclosure size can lead to stereotypies-- repetitive, apparently pointless behaviors such as pacing 2 . •Although snow leopards were originally classified as a completely solitary species, recent studies suggest that leopards form pair bonds before breeding in the wild to increase fitness 3 . •Thus, housing leopards in pairs may be a form of environmental enrichment 4 . In captivity, pair bonds have been correlated to more successful breeding attempts 3 . •The pair of snow leopards at the Memphis Zoo is too young to breed, but social housing could increase their probability of successful breeding attempts in the future and reduce stereotypic behaviors. Methods 1) The leopards studied were a female, Ateri, who is approximately 1.5 years old, and a male, Darhan, who is 2.75 years old. Both leopards are housed together in Cat Country at the Memphis Zoo. 2) Behavioral observations for both leopards were recorded Sep-Nov 2011 at 2- min intervals using the scan sampling method in accordance with behavior ethogram (Table 1). At the same 2-min intervals, location data were recorded for both leopards on an exhibit map (Map 1). 4) Data were collected 3-4 times per week in 2-h increments for a total of 50.5 observations hours for each leopard. 5) Activity budgets were calculated for each leopard every day based on the proportion of time spent exhibiting each behavior category for each cat. Time the leopards spent out of view was removed from the analysis. 6) ArcGIS 9.3 was used to create a map of the leopard enclosure, location data were plotted, and density maps were formed to indicate areas where the leopards spent the most time. Results Discussion •Both leopards spent a smaller percentage of time resting than expected 2 . This could be attributed to the young age of the leopards and newness to the Memphis Zoo. In the future, it is predicted that the pair will spend more time resting together 3 . •Both leopards exhibited high levels of locomotor behaviors but much lower levels of stereotypy than expected, which is also possibly due to their age. Male leopards who are unsuccessful in their breeding attempts are more likely to pace and exhibit stereotypic behaviors 3 . Although Darhan (♂) exhibited breeding behaviors, data from Willis et al. (unpublished) suggest that he is not yet sexually mature. •In the wild, pair bonds can increase fitness 2 . If the leopards at the Memphis Zoo have formed a pair bond, it could be the cause of infrequent stereotypies and aid in the success of future reproduction 3 . Social housing should be considered as a practical option for managing captive leopards. •In the future, this study could increase sample size and observe leopards during the breeding season (Feb-May) both before and after sexual maturity. References 1 Brown J, Wasser S, Wildt D, Graham L. Comparative Aspects of Steroid Hormone Metabolism and Ovarian _____Activity in Felids, Measured Noninvasively in Feces. Biology of Reproduction. 1994;51:776-786. 2 Macri, AM and Patterson-Kane, E. Behavioural analysis of solitary versus socially housed snow leopards _____(Panthera uncia), with the provision of simulated social contact. Applied Animal Behavior Science. _____2011;130:115-123. 3 Freeman, H. Behavior in Adult Pairs of Captive Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia). Zoo Biology. 1983;2:1-22. 4 Price, EE and Stoinski, TS. Group Size: Determinants in the wild and implications for the captive housing of _____wild mammals in zoos. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2007;103:255-264. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr. Erin Willis for her support in the reproductive physiology research of the male leopard, Darhan, the Memphis Zoo Research and Conservation Lab team for their guidance, the Memphis Zoological Society for generous use of its facilities, the Cat Country zoo keepers for information about the leopards, Rhodes College for financial support, and Adam Alsamadisi for his GIS expertise. Behavior Type Description Resting The cat is sedentary and not alert i.e., Sleeping, lying down, resting, yawn, stretch Alert The cat responds to a stimulus using its senses of sight and hearing i.e., Sitting alert, standing alert, lying alert, flehmen Stereotypic Walking in a fixed pattern for at least three repetitions with no apparent purpose or variation Social The cats interact with one another i.e., Play, groom, lay together, pounce, stalk, fight Locomotor The cat moves from one place to another i.e., Walk, trot, run, object rear, roll, jump, climb Exhibit Interaction The cat interacting with an aspect of the exhibit through investigation or play i.e., Sniff, object rub, scratch, scent mark, eat, drink, urinate, defecate Self- Interaction The cat grooms or plays with itself without interacting with the other cat Figure 1: Activity budget for each leopard based on behavioral ethogram (Table 1) ± SE Table 1: Ethogram of observed snow leopard behaviors grouped into categories Results •The amount of time the leopards spent socializing with one another (8.57% ± 2.86 SE) was greater than amount of time dedicated to self-interaction by either leopard (Ateri (♀): 0.83% ± 0.21 SE; Darhan(♂): 1.2% ± 0.27 SE). •A total of 184 boughts of play fights between the leopards were observed; all fights except one lasted less than two minutes. •Breeding behaviors were observed on nine different instances, each with the male instigating and lasting less than two minutes. • The leopards spent the greatest proportions of time exhibiting resting (R), alert (A), locomotor (L), and social (SC) behaviors for a total of 91.14% of observation time for Ateri (female) and 91.54% for Darhan (male): R: Ateri- 9.44% ± 1.86 SE, Darhan- 12.58% ± 2.15 SE A: Ateri- 52.50% ± 2.63 SE, Darhan- 55.43% ± 3.14 SE L : Ateri- 20.63% ± 1.90 SE, Darhan- 14.96% ± 1.83 SE SC: 8.57% ± 2.86 SE • Ateri spent the least amount of time exhibiting stereotypic behaviors (0.48% ±0.32 SE) Map 1: Snow leopard exhibit in Cat Country with enclosure elements Map 2: Exhibit with location data for each leopard, N = 1,334 points (male) and N = 1,333 points (female) Map 3: Density gradient based on proportion of time spent in area for female leopard, Ateri Map 4: Density gradient based on proportion of time spent in area for male leopard, Darhan
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Transcript of Jones_snow_leopard_poster
Analysis of behaviors and spatial preferences in captive snow leopards (Uncia uncia) Kimber Jones, Sarah Boyle, and Andy Kouba
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Sarah BoyleRhodes College and Memphis Zoo
Introduction•Captive breeding attempts are necessary to maintain the population size and genetic viability of endangered snow leopards1.
•Captive snow leopards are not stressed by hunger, disease, or competition; however, boredom and small enclosure size can lead to stereotypies-- repetitive, apparently pointless behaviors such as pacing2.
•Although snow leopards were originally classified as a completely solitary species, recent studies suggest that leopards form pair bonds before breeding in the wild to increase fitness3.
•Thus, housing leopards in pairs may be a form of environmental enrichment4. In captivity, pair bonds have been correlated to more successful breeding attempts3.
•The pair of snow leopards at the Memphis Zoo is too young to breed, but social housing could increase their probability of successful breeding attempts in the future and reduce stereotypic behaviors.
Methods1) The leopards studied were a female, Ateri, who is approximately 1.5 years old, and a male, Darhan, who is 2.75 years old. Both leopards are housed together in Cat Country at the Memphis Zoo.
2) Behavioral observations for both leopards were recorded Sep-Nov 2011 at 2- min intervals using the scan sampling method in accordance with behavior ethogram (Table 1). At the same 2-min intervals, location data were recorded for both leopards on an exhibit map (Map 1).
4) Data were collected 3-4 times per week in 2-h increments for a total of 50.5 observations hours for each leopard.
5) Activity budgets were calculated for each leopard every day based on the proportion of time spent exhibiting each behavior category for each cat. Time the leopards spent out of view was removed from the analysis.
6) ArcGIS 9.3 was used to create a map of the leopard enclosure, location data were plotted, and density maps were formed to indicate areas where the leopards spent the most time.
Results
Discussion•Both leopards spent a smaller percentage of time resting than expected2. This could be attributed to the young age of the leopards and newness to the Memphis Zoo. In the future, it is predicted that the pair will spend more time resting together3.
•Both leopards exhibited high levels of locomotor behaviors but much lower levels of stereotypy than expected, which is also possibly due to their age. Male leopards who are unsuccessful in their breeding attempts are more likely to pace and exhibit stereotypic behaviors3. Although Darhan (♂) exhibited breeding behaviors, data from Willis et al. (unpublished) suggest that he is not yet sexually mature.
•In the wild, pair bonds can increase fitness2. If the leopards at the Memphis Zoo have formed a pair bond, it could be the cause of infrequent stereotypies and aid in the success of future reproduction3. Social housing should be considered as a practical option for managing captive leopards.
•In the future, this study could increase sample size and observe leopards during the breeding season (Feb-May) both before and after sexual maturity.
References1Brown J, Wasser S, Wildt D, Graham L. Comparative Aspects of Steroid Hormone Metabolism and Ovarian _____Activity in Felids, Measured Noninvasively in Feces. Biology of Reproduction. 1994;51:776-786.2Macri, AM and Patterson-Kane, E. Behavioural analysis of solitary versus socially housed snow leopards _____(Panthera uncia), with the provision of simulated social contact. Applied Animal Behavior Science. _____2011;130:115-123.3Freeman, H. Behavior in Adult Pairs of Captive Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia). Zoo Biology. 1983;2:1-22.4Price, EE and Stoinski, TS. Group Size: Determinants in the wild and implications for the captive housing of _____wild mammals in zoos. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 2007;103:255-264.
Acknowledgements We would like to thank Dr. Erin Willis for her support in the reproductive physiology research of the male leopard,
Darhan, the Memphis Zoo Research and Conservation Lab team for their guidance, the Memphis Zoological Society for generous use of its facilities, the Cat Country zoo keepers for information about the leopards, Rhodes College for
financial support, and Adam Alsamadisi for his GIS expertise.
Behavior Type Description
Resting The cat is sedentary and not alerti.e., Sleeping, lying down, resting, yawn, stretch
Alert The cat responds to a stimulus using its senses of sight and hearingi.e., Sitting alert, standing alert, lying alert, flehmen
Stereotypic Walking in a fixed pattern for at least three repetitions with no apparent purpose or variation
Social The cats interact with one another i.e., Play, groom, lay together, pounce, stalk, fight
Locomotor The cat moves from one place to anotheri.e., Walk, trot, run, object rear, roll, jump, climb
Exhibit Interaction The cat interacting with an aspect of the exhibit through investigation or playi.e., Sniff, object rub, scratch, scent mark, eat, drink, urinate, defecate
Self-Interaction The cat grooms or plays with itself without interacting with the other cat
Other The cat displays a behavior that is not listed in any of the above categories
Figure 1: Activity budget for each leopard based on behavioral ethogram (Table 1) ± SE
Table 1: Ethogram of observed snow leopard behaviors grouped into categories
Results•The amount of time the leopards spent socializing with one another (8.57% ± 2.86 SE) was greater than amount of time dedicated to self-interaction by either leopard (Ateri (♀): 0.83% ± 0.21 SE; Darhan(♂): 1.2% ± 0.27 SE).
•A total of 184 boughts of play fights between the leopards were observed; all fights except one lasted less than two minutes.
•Breeding behaviors were observed on nine different instances, each with the male instigating and lasting less than two minutes.
• The leopards spent the greatest proportions of time exhibiting resting (R), alert (A), locomotor (L), and social (SC) behaviors for a total of 91.14% of observation time for Ateri (female) and 91.54% for Darhan (male):R: Ateri- 9.44% ± 1.86 SE, Darhan- 12.58% ± 2.15 SE A: Ateri- 52.50% ± 2.63 SE, Darhan- 55.43% ± 3.14 SEL : Ateri- 20.63% ± 1.90 SE, Darhan- 14.96% ± 1.83 SESC: 8.57% ± 2.86 SE
• Ateri spent the least amount of time exhibiting stereotypic behaviors (0.48% ±0.32 SE)
Map 1: Snow leopard exhibit in Cat Country with enclosure elements
Map 2: Exhibit with location data for each leopard, N = 1,334 points (male) and N = 1,333 points (female)
Map 3: Density gradient based on proportion of time spent in area for female leopard, Ateri
Map 4: Density gradient based on proportion of time spent in area for male leopard, Darhan
