Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives.
Uložené v:
| Názov: | Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives. |
|---|---|
| Autori: | Bartolomé, Alicia1 abarca5@uv.es, Carazo, Pau1, Font, Enrique1 |
| Zdroj: | Animal Welfare. 2023, Vol. 32, p1-13. 13p. |
| Druh dokumentu: | Article |
| Predmet: | Environmental enrichment, Zoos, Poisonous snakes, Animal welfare, Reptiles, Environmental research |
| Author-Supplied Keywords: | environmental enrichment reptiles survey taxonomic bias zoos |
| Abstrakt: | Zoos and aquaria are paying increasing attention to environmental enrichment, which has proven an effective tool for the improvement of animal welfare. However, several ongoing issues have hampered progress in environmental enrichment research. Foremost among these is the taxonomic bias, which hinders our understanding of the value of enrichment for neglected groups, such as reptiles. In this study, we evaluated the status of environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos using a survey approach. A total of 121 zoos (32% response rate) completed our main survey, focusing on the use of different enrichment types for reptiles. We found significant differences in the use and/or type of enrichment between reptile groups. Tortoises (family Testudinidae) and monitor lizards (genus Varanus) were the most enriched taxa while venomous snakes were the least. The enrichment types most used across taxa were structural/habitat design and dietary. A second, more detailed, questionnaire followed, where participants were questioned about specific enrichment techniques. A total of 42 enrichment methods were reported, with two being represented across all taxa: increasing structural/thermal complexity and enrichment objects. Finally, we present information from participating zoos on enrichment goals, assessment methods, sources of information for enrichment ideas, and whether enrichment for reptiles is considered essential and/or implemented routinely. Results suggest that, although usage is widespread across European zoos, our understanding of enrichment for reptiles needs to be re-evaluated, since many of the techniques reported tread a fine line between basic husbandry and actual enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Animal Welfare is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Author Affiliations: | 1Ethology lab, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, Spain |
| ISSN: | 0962-7286 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/awf.2023.43 |
| Prístupové číslo: | 174864890 |
| Databáza: | Veterinary Source |
| Abstrakt: | Zoos and aquaria are paying increasing attention to environmental enrichment, which has proven an effective tool for the improvement of animal welfare. However, several ongoing issues have hampered progress in environmental enrichment research. Foremost among these is the taxonomic bias, which hinders our understanding of the value of enrichment for neglected groups, such as reptiles. In this study, we evaluated the status of environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos using a survey approach. A total of 121 zoos (32% response rate) completed our main survey, focusing on the use of different enrichment types for reptiles. We found significant differences in the use and/or type of enrichment between reptile groups. Tortoises (family Testudinidae) and monitor lizards (genus Varanus) were the most enriched taxa while venomous snakes were the least. The enrichment types most used across taxa were structural/habitat design and dietary. A second, more detailed, questionnaire followed, where participants were questioned about specific enrichment techniques. A total of 42 enrichment methods were reported, with two being represented across all taxa: increasing structural/thermal complexity and enrichment objects. Finally, we present information from participating zoos on enrichment goals, assessment methods, sources of information for enrichment ideas, and whether enrichment for reptiles is considered essential and/or implemented routinely. Results suggest that, although usage is widespread across European zoos, our understanding of enrichment for reptiles needs to be re-evaluated, since many of the techniques reported tread a fine line between basic husbandry and actual enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 09627286 |
| DOI: | 10.1017/awf.2023.43 |