The effect of new enclosure on daily activities and social interactions in western lowland gorillas in Prague Zoo

Bc. Marie Žabková

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Primates in general and great apes in particular face a threat of extinction in the wild, which is caused by a variety of anthropogenic factors, including poaching, habitat loss and global climate change. Keeping primates in zoos informs the public about these complicated issues and gives insight into behaviour of these remarkable animals in controlled conditions. To ensure that the best possible care is given to these animals, it is important to recognize normal behaviour as well as behaviour indicative of stress. The main aim of this thesis was thus to investigate the effect of translocation to new zoo enclosure and group split on daily activities, individual and social behaviour in western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) living in a group in Prague zoo (Prague, Czech Republic). To reach this aim, a scientific literature review was conducted, and behavioural observations were completed under daily life conditions on seven gorillas (three males, four females). We combined focal instantaneous sampling and focal continuous sampling whereby every focal observation lasted for 20 minutes and was done twice a day per individual, for a total of 897 observations, i.e. 299 hours. Subsequently, behavioural responses were transcribed into Excel and statistically processed in R. Results indicate that moving to a different enclosure and group split affected gorillas’ daily activities and social interactions, namely their locomotion, time spent in contact, time spent in proximity and the rate of approaches. The effect was particularly visible in the period immediately after the changes when the proportions or rates of these aforementioned behaviours increased. These results indicate that individuals coped well with the changes and were able to overcome this event by using social support and comfort each other. Studies like this one represent a valuable source of information for zoos and are instrumental for future managerial interventions in captive care.

Keywords

western lowland gorilla, captivity, zoo, stress, social behaviour, Gorilla gorilla gorilla

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 23. 4. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 31. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Mgr. Martina Konečná, Ph.D.
• Reader: Marek Špinka, CSc.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / specializace:
Wildlife and Livestock Production, Management and Conservation / Wildlife Management and Conservation