Study

Intact carcasses as enrichment for large felids: effects on on‐and off‐exhibit behaviors

  • Published source details McPhee M.E. (2002) Intact carcasses as enrichment for large felids: effects on on‐and off‐exhibit behaviors. Zoo Biology, 21, 37-47.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Carnivores: Feed whole carcasses (with or without organs/gastrointestinal tract)

Action Link
Management of Captive Animals
  1. Carnivores: Feed whole carcasses (with or without organs/gastrointestinal tract)

    A replicated, before-and-after study in 2002 of snow leopards Panthera uncia, leopards Panthera pardus and lions Panthera leo in three zoos in the USA found that when fed large carcasses, the frequency of off-exhibit feeding and natural behaviours increased and stereotypic behaviours decreased compared to when fed a commercial meat-based diet (mean values not reported). There were no differences in these behaviours on exhibit although hiding behaviour increased on-exhibit after carcass feeding. Nine felids were fed intact, eviscerated calf carcasses. Off-exhibit behaviour was recorded using a video camera starting immediately prior to provision of food. Twenty-four instantaneous scan samples were recorded over two hours per individual. Each animal received a carcass once every two weeks between 16.30 h and 17.00 h on scheduled days. On-exhibit behaviour was recorded by direct observation four times a day using instantaneous scan sampling every minute for ten minutes at each exhibit in 1.15 h rounds. Exhibit order was randomly selected.

Output references
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