Zoos transformed into silent realms amidst the global pandemic’s outbreak
As a result, inhabitants like apes and other sociable creatures began to exhibit different behaviors. This intriguing pattern emerged from a study focusing on species such as bonobos, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas, and olive baboons, with the research documenting changes before, during, and after the times when the public could not visit.
Adapting to an Extraordinary Circumstance
During the pandemic’s peak, when zoological parks shuttered, specialists seized the moment to explore. Samantha Ward, a zoo animal welfare expert at Nottingham Trent University, commented on the prospects opened by the event, stating, “Given the high cognitive capabilities of primates in captivity, the situation presented us with an unrivaled window for observation.” The inquiry spanned Twycross Zoo and Knowsley Safari within the UK. Researchers meticulously recorded and compared the conduct of these animals.
The study uncovered noteworthy shifts. Post-reopening, gorillas and bonobos appeared to socialize more, chimpanzees demonstrated heightened environmental interaction and dietary interest, while olive baboons at Knowsley exhibited decreased levels of sexual and competitive actions, revealing a newfound curiosity towards the traffic of visitor vehicles over safari trucks.
Interpreting these conduct changes is nuanced. The evident enthusiasm seen in chimpanzees and baboons contrasted with the gorillas’ diminished rest, suggesting a possible disturbance. Ellen Williams, a zoo animal welfare investigator at Harper Adams University, remarked, “These shifts underscore the capacity for zoo animals to adjust to their surroundings—an aspect vital to their psychological and physical health.”
This research pinpointed a saturation point for olive baboons; past a certain visitor volume, no additional excitation was triggered. This discovery underscores the delicate balance wildlife maintain in response to human interference, a key notion for designing and operating both traditional and modern zoological spaces.
Amidst visitor influx, scientists are concentrated on decoding the long-term implications for zoo-resident wellbeing. Williams elaborated on the ambitious scope of this work: “Our future inquiries may extend to encompass a more comprehensive array of species and individual distinctions.”
Published in the scholarly publication Animals, this research lays the groundwork for enhancing understanding and practices related to animal health in controlled environments, addressing the variable influence humans wield, from nurturers of social bonds to potential stressors.
