TY - JOUR
T1 - Behavioral analysis of a captive male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) when exposed to environmental changes
AU - Larsen, Josefine F.
AU - Andersen, Karl K.D.
AU - Cuprys, Julia
AU - Fosgaard, Thomas B.
AU - Jacobsen, Johanne H.
AU - Krysztofiak, Dominika
AU - Lund, Silje M.
AU - Nielsen, Birgitte
AU - Pedersen, Maja E.B.
AU - Pedersen, Matilde J.
AU - Trige-Esbensen, Adam
AU - Walther, Emilie M.
AU - Pertoldi, Cino
AU - Jensen, Trine H.
AU - Alstrup, Aage K.O.
AU - Perea-García, Juan O.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Understanding the species-specific behavioral needs of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) has led zoological gardens to focus on creating more natural and stimulating facilities. Studies have documented enhanced welfare through various methods, including environmental enrichment like mixed-species habitats, which could improve animal welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral adaption following the transfer to a new facility and the possible effects of environmental enrichment on an orangutan in captivity at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark. A newly arrived male was observed for analyzing behavioral changes in the weeks after relocation and introducing two small-clawed Asian otters (Aonyx cinereus) to the facility. Changes in behavior were analyzed using recorded behavior and an ethogram before and after the introduction of the otters. The expression of behaviors associated with stress and individual plasticity was analyzed, and the results indicated a change in the behavioral phenotype in response to the introduction of the otters. The study shows that behaviors associated with stress decreased after the introduction of small-clawed otters, suggesting that it had a positive effect on the behavior of the orangutan.
AB - Understanding the species-specific behavioral needs of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) has led zoological gardens to focus on creating more natural and stimulating facilities. Studies have documented enhanced welfare through various methods, including environmental enrichment like mixed-species habitats, which could improve animal welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral adaption following the transfer to a new facility and the possible effects of environmental enrichment on an orangutan in captivity at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark. A newly arrived male was observed for analyzing behavioral changes in the weeks after relocation and introducing two small-clawed Asian otters (Aonyx cinereus) to the facility. Changes in behavior were analyzed using recorded behavior and an ethogram before and after the introduction of the otters. The expression of behaviors associated with stress and individual plasticity was analyzed, and the results indicated a change in the behavioral phenotype in response to the introduction of the otters. The study shows that behaviors associated with stress decreased after the introduction of small-clawed otters, suggesting that it had a positive effect on the behavior of the orangutan.
KW - Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
KW - ethogram
KW - facility improvement
KW - mixed species habitat
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85183138649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2298/ABS230826036L
DO - 10.2298/ABS230826036L
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85183138649
SN - 0354-4664
VL - 75
SP - 443
EP - 458
JO - Archives of Biological Sciences
JF - Archives of Biological Sciences
IS - 4
ER -