New research has shed light on why some farm and zoo animals cope well with captivity and others show signs of stress.
The first large-scale study to identify which hoofed animals are better suited to captivity has been published by researchers from universities.
Over five billion hoofed animals, such as giraffes, horses, and pigs, are kept as livestock around the world. They are some of the world's most common animals.
The study looked at the behavior of over 15,000 individual animals across 38 ungulate species and found that the type of food species eaten and their reproductive strategy were related to stress symptoms.
Animals that eat high-growing vegetation, such as camels, okapis and rhinos, are at risk from stress related habits.
Behavioral needs are those that a species performs to survive and reproduce. Stereotypic behaviors are seen in farm and zoo animals and can lead to poor welfare if these behaviors are restricted. In order to provide good welfare for ungulates, certain behavioral needs should be prioritized.
Animals in captivity that don't have constant access to food are more prone to behavioral problems.
According to the study co-author, features of both a species' wild behavioral biology and captivity are predictors of stereotypic behaviors. This research has important implications for how these large, hoofed animals are kept in captivity, as we now have a better understanding of which species are most susceptible to stress in captivity.
The study uses a new method that allows us to better predict how well rare or under studied species will fare in captivity. Having the right food and organization is important for ungulates. Being able to have enough space in captivity seems to be important. Understanding the needs of different groups of animals is important.
The co-author of the study said, "As a society, we need to continue to question and examine the environmental factors that are important to animals if we are to maximize their welfare." Lessons can be learned from how to raise and treat animals.
More information: Risk factors for stereotypic behaviour in captive ungulates, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1311. rspb.royalsocietypublishing.or … .1098/rspb.2022.1311 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
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