During the course of the coronavirus pandemic, we were all required to adapt, including the zoo animals who no longer had the regular flow of visitors passing by each day. A recent study examined how primates responded to this change by observing the behavior of chimpanzees, olive baboons, western lowland gorillas, and bonobos. The research discovered that the animals changed their conduct in various manners, which included modifications in their eating and resting patterns.
The presence of visitors is believed to be essential for the well-being of zoo animals, so researchers from Nottingham Trent University in the UK were curious to examine the effects of their absence. The interactions between visitors and primates, which are known for their high cognitive abilities in captivity, are intricate. However, the impact of visitors on animal behavior is not fully comprehended due to the infrequency of extended closure of zoos and parks to the public. This provided a unique chance for the researchers to observe and record the behavior of primates at Twycross Zoo and Knowsley Safari in the UK, both before and after visitors returned. Over several months and multiple open and closure periods, the researchers noted that primate behavior changed significantly, but the changes varied depending on the species.
Upon the return of visitors to the zoo, the bonobos and gorillas were observed spending less time in solitude, and the gorillas appeared to rest less as well. Meanwhile, the chimpanzees were consuming more food and showing more interest in their enclosures after the reopening of the zoo. As for the olive baboons in the safari park, they exhibited less sexual and dominant behavior upon the arrival of visitors. They also tended to approach cars carrying visitors more frequently than ranger vehicles, which they were used to when the park was closed.
The researchers propose that the return of visitors to the zoo may have had a stimulating effect on chimpanzees and baboons, while the reduced time spent alone by gorillas and bonobos could be considered a positive outcome. The observed changes in behavior and enclosure use when visitors were present demonstrate the ability of zoo animals to adapt to their surroundings. This information is crucial for animal welfare researchers, who acknowledge that visitors can have various impacts on wildlife, ranging from positive effects like a sense of companionship and safety to negative effects like irritation or danger. These findings should be considered in the management and design of zoos and parks.
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