Presentation Details
| Animals with Disabilities: Welfare and Enclosure Access in a Zoo-Housed Meerkat Mob Alehna M.Crowe. Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL, USA |
Abstract
Despite the considerable number of animals with disabilities housed in zoos worldwide, formal studies of the welfare of these animals in zoo-housed populations remain scarce. This study examined whether a forelimb amputation restricted space use in one individual of a four-member meerkat mob at Lincoln Park Zoo and whether any resulting barriers to access affected her activity budget relative to her conspecifics. Behavioral data were collected using the ZooMonitor application over 20 days. Recorded variables included interval behavior, height use, substrate use, and enclosure use. Results indicated that the amputee individual, Alanis, was observed only at ground level. No sentry behavior was recorded for Alanis, and she spent more time in a bipedal posture compared to her conspecifics. Physical barriers in the enclosure may restrict Alanis' space use and may preclude sentry behavior. As zoo care enhances and veterinary access expands, the proportion of animals with disabilities in zoos is likely to increase, necessitating the timely development of a robust literature on the welfare of animals with disabilities to ensure they, too, experience the highest standards of care.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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