Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70017
Lisa P Barrett, Fay E Clark, Marianne S Freeman, Ellen Williams, Victoria L O'Connor
{"title":"ManyZoos: A New Collaborative Approach to Multi-Institution Research in Zoos.","authors":"Lisa P Barrett, Fay E Clark, Marianne S Freeman, Ellen Williams, Victoria L O'Connor","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Open science and big data approaches (i.e., approaches which enable the development of large and complex data sets) facilitate comparative analyses and thus more robust, evidence-based decision-making. Whilst there has been an increase in published research arising from zoological institutions over several decades, most research has arisen from small-scale case studies, often involving one or two zoos from a small geographical radius. Data from several zoos can be combined and compared retrospectively, but this is difficult when studies adopt different methods. The benefit of wider, simultaneous multi-institution research was recently demonstrated when researchers assessed the impact of zoo closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we introduce a new consortium initiative called ManyZoos, which aims to address the critical need for zoo science to expand even further geographically while incorporating additional institutions and disciplines. Like other \"Many X\" initiatives (e.g., ManyPrimates, ManyDogs), ManyZoos aims to foster more productive research collaborations between zoological collections and other animal collections, academia, government, and nongovernment organizations. In doing so, ManyZoos will address several current limitations of zoo research including small sample sizes and siloed expertise. ManyZoos embeds collaboration at every stage of research, from study conception to dissemination of results, producing large open data sets with transparent protocols. ManyZoos has the potential to lead to more robust, evidence-based decision-making for zoo animal management and conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70016
Ashley N Edes, Eli Baskir, Ethan Riepl, Kari E Musgrave, Katie L Edwards, Corinne P Kozlowski, Melissa McElya, David M Powell
{"title":"Things Are Not Always What They Seem: Combining Multiple Approaches to Understand Possible Impacts of Visitors on a Zoo-Housed Francois Langur.","authors":"Ashley N Edes, Eli Baskir, Ethan Riepl, Kari E Musgrave, Katie L Edwards, Corinne P Kozlowski, Melissa McElya, David M Powell","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A zoo-housed male Francois langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) displayed frequent territorial behaviors toward visitors, generating concern he may be experiencing negative visitor effects. After visual and physical barriers were unsuccessful at reducing these behaviors, he was prescribed anxiolytic medication. Our objective was to understand the effects of visitors on this male after reaching a therapeutic dose of anxiolytic medication. We analyzed effects of visitor presence (whether the exhibit was open or closed to the public) and number (weekdays vs. weekends, gate count). Behavior and physiological biomarkers were analyzed using linear and generalized linear models, respectively. Behaviors included time spent engaged in vigilance as well as rates of fast locomotion displays, leaping-and-hitting the barrier, grimacing, and rough scratching. Biomarkers included cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio, testosterone, and immunoglobulin A (IgA). The langur performed more leap-and-hit barrier when the exhibit was open (β = 0.750, SE = 0.282, p = 0.013), on weekends (β = 0.618, SE = 0.277, p = 0.034), and with higher gate counts (β < 0.001, SE < 0.001, p = 0.004). Initially positive associations between rough scratching and visitor number were not significant when accounting for temperature. Cortisol/DHEA-S ratios trended toward significantly lower when the exhibit was open and IgA showed evidence of a potential dither effect, although the latter is ambiguous. No other behaviors or biomarkers were associated with visitor-related variables. We also compared behavior and physiology before and during anxiolytic medication as well as relationships between behaviors and biomarkers. Taken together, the balance of visitor effects appears neutral. Furthermore, considering other evidence, the langur does not appear to have diminished well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-28DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70005
Jonathan D Choquette, Trevor E Pitcher, Anne Yagi, Corentin Fournier, Rick Vos, Jacqueline D Litzgus
{"title":"Reproductive Traits of Zoo-Bred and Wild-Bred Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) at Species Survival Plan® Conservation Breeding Centres and Other Facilities.","authors":"Jonathan D Choquette, Trevor E Pitcher, Anne Yagi, Corentin Fournier, Rick Vos, Jacqueline D Litzgus","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Species recovery efforts may require establishment of ex situ populations to supply augmentation or reintroduction projects. The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a small rattlesnake with an ex situ breeding program maintained by a consortium of conservation breeding centres. Small population size in human care has restricted the supply of animals for in situ conservation, thus, the development of improved ex situ breeding protocols was recommended. The objectives of our retrospective study were to (1) describe and compare reproductive traits between two groups of Massasauga litters born in human care: wild-bred litters (i.e., conceived in the wild) and zoo-bred litters, (2) test for factors associated with improved reproductive output in zoo-bred litters, and, (3) make recommendations for standardizing ex situ breeding protocols. Data were collected on Massasauga birth events that occurred from 2000 to 2020 at 13 North American zoos and partner facilities. Six outcomes related to litter size and survival of offspring were compared between zoo-bred (n = 43) and wild-bred litters (n = 51). Odds ratios were used to test for correlations between nine predictor variables and four response variables in zoo-bred litters. We found higher mean litter size and number of live young per litter in wild-bred litters (12 and 10, respectively) compared to zoo-bred litters (6 and 2). Wild-bred litters more often contained live young and less often contained unfertilized ova (98% and 34% of litters, respectively) than did zoo-bred litters (58% and 81%). Experimentation on the effectiveness of alternative mating practices is warranted to improve reproductive output in human care, thereby increasing capacity to support in situ conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-26DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70015
Megan Broadway, Jamie K Shelley, Billie S Serafin, Victoria A Howard, Mystera M Samuelson, Heidi Lyn
{"title":"Individualized Use of Signature Whistles by Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) During an Introduction.","authors":"Megan Broadway, Jamie K Shelley, Billie S Serafin, Victoria A Howard, Mystera M Samuelson, Heidi Lyn","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There have been few published accounts of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) group introductions in human care and even fewer reports of signature whistle usage within this context. Here, we describe behavior and signature whistle production before, during, and after the introduction of a recently stranded and rehabilitated young male to an existing group of two adult dolphins, a male and female. Signature whistle production increased for the adult male and female, but not for the young male being introduced. Whistles were detected from each of the dolphins on the day of introduction, which is consistent with the reports involving wild dolphin signature whistle usage before intermixing.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-22DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70007
David M Powell, Lauren Augustine, Ashley N Edes, Corinne P Kozlowski, Helen Clawitter, Eli Baskir, Kari E Musgrave, Sarah O'Brien, Tyler Ryan, Justin M Elden
{"title":"Effects of Substrate Provision and Associated Cleaning Practices on Welfare Indicators in Eastern Long-Nosed Vipers (Vipera ammodytes meridionalis) During Growth and Development.","authors":"David M Powell, Lauren Augustine, Ashley N Edes, Corinne P Kozlowski, Helen Clawitter, Eli Baskir, Kari E Musgrave, Sarah O'Brien, Tyler Ryan, Justin M Elden","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a need to assess the impact of husbandry and exhibitry practices on under-studied taxa, including reptiles and amphibians, to ensure animals experience good welfare. It is common practice to house snakes in enclosures on paper substrate, particularly when off-exhibit. We investigated the impacts of substrate provision (mulch or newspaper) and associated cleaning practices on nine long-nosed viper (Vipera ammodytes meridionalis) clutch mates over a 3-year period. We assessed health parameters, food consumption, growth, fecal and shed quality, and glucocorticoids in feces and shed skin. Snakes housed on newspaper were less likely to eat, had lower fecal quality, and demonstrated higher fecal and shed glucocorticoids; no other treatment effects were observed. Male snakes had higher fecal and shed glucocorticoids, and were more likely to defecate, had higher defecation counts, and had shorter inter-defecation intervals compared to females. Enclosures with a mulch substrate were significantly more humid than those with a newspaper substrate; enclosure temperature did not vary with substrate. We suggest differences in snakes by treatment are due to a combination of lower humidity offered by newspaper substrate and more frequent changing of newspaper substrate, which depletes the scent cues deposited by the enclosure occupant, creating more physiological arousal and potentially more stress when the animal is reintroduced to a less familiar enclosure. Our findings suggest that housing snakes on newspaper could have long-term fitness and health consequences.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Age-Related Differences in Gut Microbiome and Fecal Metabolome of Captive African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus).","authors":"Jingle Jiang, Di Hu, Shan Hu, Kangning Huang, Jianqing Zheng, Enle Pei","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of the present study was to characterize the profiles of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) of different ages. The combination of metagenome and metabolome was performed on the feces of captive African penguins of varying age groups, including juvenile (1-3 years old), adult (4-15 years old) and senior (16-20 years old) individuals. The results of the metagenome showed that microbial abundance was significantly different between groups. Adult penguins had higher abundances of Gallilactobacillus and Ligilactobacillus compared to juvenile penguins. Senior penguins exhibited higher abundances of Gammaproteobacteria and Escherichia coli than adult penguins. We further identified differentially expressed metabolites across the groups using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Correlation analysis showed that age was correlated significantly with certain differential microbial species and fecal metabolites. The results revealed that age is a key factor influencing gut microbiota and metabolism in African penguins. Our results provide baseline information on gut microbial structure and fecal metabolite characteristics in African penguins of different ages, which is vital for the management and ex situ conservation of this endangered species.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144638290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-15DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70012
Lilith A Frakes, Jessica A Mayhew, Patricia Ragan, Lori K Sheeran, Kara I Gabriel
{"title":"Examining Paternal Care in Captive Sumatran and Hybrid Orangutans.","authors":"Lilith A Frakes, Jessica A Mayhew, Patricia Ragan, Lori K Sheeran, Kara I Gabriel","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the wild, orangutans live in an individual fission-fusion social system. This semi-isolated lifestyle means females are the sole caretakers of infants. However, recent social media posts from zoos and sanctuaries depict adult male orangutans engaging in behavior suggesting paternal involvement in offspring care. In captivity, orangutans are often housed socially, allowing fathers to interact with their offspring and raising the question of whether, and how, orangutans may potentially demonstrate paternal behavior. We examined interactions among immature offspring and their family groups in captive, hybrid (Pongo pygmaeus x abelii) and Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii). We conducted 168 focal follows on three immature orangutans from three separate family groups. Across all three locations, male orangutans engaged in direct paternal behaviors, such as playing, food-sharing, and contact, and indirect paternal behaviors such as proximity, tolerance, and defense. Immature orangutans at all three sites initiated significantly more interactions with their fathers than vice versa. Significant differences were also observed between the number of interactions initiated by offspring and those initiated by their fathers, suggesting that immatures drive interactions. These findings demonstrate that some captive male orangutans engage in paternal care of their offspring and, when given the opportunity, offspring take advantage of the presence of their fathers as partners in social interactions. This study emphasizes the importance of making observations across multiple contexts and group compositions to better understand the behavioral and social diversity of orangutans.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144638291","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70008
Matyas Liptovszky, Emily Polla
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence's Potential in Zoo Animal Welfare.","authors":"Matyas Liptovszky, Emily Polla","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The thorough, objective, and regular assessment of animal welfare in zoos and aquariums is rapidly becoming an essential task for these institutions. Traditional welfare assessment methods are, however, difficult to scale to the number of species and individuals housed in zoos and aquariums. Automation, using artificial intelligence (AI) can provide solutions to these challenges. This literature review provides an overview of recent advances in this field, with a focus on studies relevant to zoo and aquarium animal welfare. AI in animal behavior and welfare monitoring, particularly in farm animals, has become increasingly commonplace in recent years. Recent studies have investigated AI's capability to identify and assess animal behavior in poultry, pigs, sheep, and cattle, including estrus prediction in cows; classification of animal vocalizations; and detection of potential welfare concerns, including early signs of lameness in cattle and sheep. In companion animals, AI has been used for facial recognition, vocalization-based emotion recognition, and behavioral monitoring. Laboratory animal behavior monitoring through AI tools has also rapidly increased since 2000. AI is increasingly used in zoos, including the identification of individual animals; monitoring of their movement within their enclosure; and quantifying behavior, including time spent using enrichment. The rapid increase in AI use in animal welfare shows promise in improving animal management and welfare in zoos and aquariums, through improved and more efficient monitoring and prediction.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70011
David J Minich, Michelle C Borsdorf, Chloe R Dupleix, Eleanor Petree, Lily Parkinson
{"title":"A Method for Processing Whole Blood for Heterologous Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion for Use in a Green-Winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus).","authors":"David J Minich, Michelle C Borsdorf, Chloe R Dupleix, Eleanor Petree, Lily Parkinson","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An 11-year-old male green-winged macaw (Ara chloropterus) diagnosed with severe anemia required a packed red blood cell transfusion rather than whole blood based on crossmatching results. Crossmatching performed with a harlequin macaw (Ara ararauna x Ara chloropterus) revealed a compatible major crossmatch and incompatible minor crossmatch. Whole blood was collected from the donor macaw and, using readily available clinical supplies and low-speed centrifugation, processed into packed red blood cells for transfusion. The patient showed a rapid recovery and normalization of hematocrit 2 weeks post-transfusion. This report demonstrates the importance of performing crossmatching and a method for packed red blood cell processing and administration in critical avian patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zoo BiologyPub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.1002/zoo.70010
Anna Fourage, Chris R Shepherd, K A I Nekaris, Vincent Nijman
{"title":"Environmental Parameters as Indicators of Bear Welfare.","authors":"Anna Fourage, Chris R Shepherd, K A I Nekaris, Vincent Nijman","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bears are commonly displayed in zoos worldwide. Historically, bears have been housed in poor conditions and even now can be found in inhumane bear pits despite an increased knowledge of animal welfare and husbandry practices. In many developing countries, regular and comprehensive welfare assessments are rarely conducted, especially if not required or enforced by regulatory bodies. A majority of zoos in these countries are also not members of zoo associations. To this end, we focused on evaluating bear exhibits in Thailand, a country with numerous zoos, weak regulations and enforcement pertaining to captive wildlife. We developed a simple assessment of front-of-house conditions using environmental parameters to evaluate whether zoos are providing appropriate enclosures as an indicator of welfare potential. We found 77 bears of four species on display in 37 exhibits in 17 zoos (6 accredited, 6 government and 5 private). Our results suggest that more than half of bears displayed in Thai zoos experience poor welfare in exhibits that do not meet basic standards. Overall, 49% of the 37 exhibits were below minimum size, with 54% having no vegetation and 62% having no enrichment. Accredited zoos had significantly better exhibits than government and private zoos. Our research highlights the need for the implementation of zoo standards, in addition to strengthened regulatory measures and enforcement regulating the care of captive wildlife in Thailand.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}