Riyah Collins & PA MediaBBC News, West Midlands
Getty Images
- Research by Nottingham Trent and Harper Adams universities suggests elephants enjoy interacting with visitors at zoos
- The study found indicators of boredom decreased during visits while social activity increased
- However academics found not all animals in zoos react positively to visitors
- Marsupials, Ostriches and hedgehogs were found to be negatively affected by visitors
Elephants at zoos enjoy interacting with visitors, according to a new study.
Research by Harper Adams and Nottingham Trent universities found that the animals' positive behaviours such as social activity increased around visitors, while indicators of boredom decreased.
The study found other animals, including grizzly bears, polar bears and penguins also benefitted.
However some zoo animals, such as marsupials, ostriches and other flightless birds were found to react negatively to visitors.
The study, published in the journal Animals, explored the impact of visitors at zoos on more than 250 animal species.
With elephants, researchers found that after public feedings the animals would forage more and become more active.
At the same time, repetitive behaviours, which suggest boredom, decreased when large groups of visitors were around.
Other species which displayed positive responses included grizzly bears, polar bears, cheetahs, servals, bantengs, black-tailed prairie dogs and co*ckatoos.
"Zoo visitors are often aspects of a zoo animal's environment that animals cannot control and as such can be stressful, although some species appear to show good adaptability for the changing conditions of visitors," said Dr Samantha Ward, from Nottingham Trent University.
"There can be a lot of variation in stimuli from visitors in terms of their behaviour, the noise they make and the way they interact with the animals.,
"We have identified that species show varied responses to people in zoos - some cope well, others not so well."
Getty Images
Among the animals found not to cope so well were flightless birds, odd and even-toed ungulates, marsupials, tuatara and hedgehogs.
However the study found the reaction to visitors across all zoo animals was "predominantly neutral".
"Animal responses are attributed to various factors and recognising what these may be is important to improve welfare," said Dr Ellen Williams, a zoo animal welfare scientist at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.
"In elephants and birds it was encouraging to see a reduction in those repetitive behaviours towards something more positive in the presence of people, although the absence of change in the majority of species was also really good, because it suggests enclosure design is changing to better support animals in responding to visitors."
Related
More
As an enthusiast well-versed in the field of zoology and animal behavior, I can provide insights into the study conducted by Nottingham Trent and Harper Adams universities, as mentioned in the article. The research delves into the impact of visitors on various zoo animals, shedding light on how different species react to human interaction.
The study, published in the journal Animals, is a comprehensive exploration of the behavior of more than 250 animal species in response to visitors. The evidence presented by the researchers indicates a nuanced relationship between zoo animals and human presence.
Elephants, the focal point of the study, were found to exhibit positive behaviors around visitors. Notably, their social activity increased, and indicators of boredom decreased during visits. This is a significant observation, suggesting that interactions with visitors contribute to the well-being and engagement of elephants in captivity.
The study also highlighted positive reactions from other species, including grizzly bears, polar bears, penguins, cheetahs, servals, bantengs, black-tailed prairie dogs, and co*ckatoos. These animals displayed behaviors indicative of heightened activity and social engagement in the presence of zoo visitors.
However, it's crucial to note that not all animals in zoos react positively to visitors. The study identified marsupials, ostriches, and other flightless birds as examples of species that exhibited negative reactions to human presence. This finding emphasizes the importance of considering individual species' characteristics and sensitivities when designing zoo environments.
Dr. Samantha Ward from Nottingham Trent University highlighted the variability in animal responses to visitors, acknowledging that some species adapt well to changing conditions, while others find it stressful. Dr. Ellen Williams, a zoo animal welfare scientist at Harper Adams University, emphasized the predominantly neutral response across all zoo animals but underscored the importance of understanding factors influencing these responses to improve animal welfare.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics between zoo animals and visitors, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in zoo design and management to ensure the well-being of diverse species in captivity.
