An Examination of Visitor and Tiger Activity Between Two Zoo Tiger Groups.

Abstract

Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) are currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. In modern zoos, the need to balance the welfare of tigers while maintaining visitor interest presents a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to assess the behaviour of five Sumatran tigers housed in two separate groups and habitat areas (male housed alone; female with three cubs), as well as in relation to visitor crowd size and sound intensity (dB) near the habitats. Five categories of behaviour (active, inactive, social, repetitive and other) were observed and analysed. The most frequent behaviour observed for all tigers was inactivity. The only significant differences in tiger behaviours observed were lower social behaviours in the male tiger housed alone compared to both the female tiger and the cubs. Sound intensity, which was measured in the public viewing area and was positively correlated with crowd size, was significantly louder near the female and cub habitat area compared to the male alone habitat area. A near significant larger crowd size for the female/cub habitat area was observed as well. Crowd size and sound intensity were positively correlated for both tiger groups/habitats, as was crowd size and repetitive behaviours for both the female tiger and the cubs. Results are discussed in the context of animal welfare of captive Sumatran tigers, as well as the promotion of the coexistence of captive tigers and zoo visitors in a manner that supports visitor education/entertainment.