Effects of Enrichments by Branches and Supplemental Food for Captive Japanese black Bears (Ursus thibetanus)

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  • 飼育下ツキノワグマにおける樹枝設置および補助飼料給与の効果
  • シイク カ ツキノワグマ ニ オケル ジュ シ セッチ オヨビ ホジョ シリョウ キュウヨ ノ コウカ

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Abstract

Previous studies have reported high frequency of stereotypy in captive bears. Environmental enrichment for bears is important for animal welfare. This study evaluated environmental enrichment effects (using branches and supplemental feeding) on three Japanese black bears (three females) at the Morioka Zoological Park from 23 October to 28 November by investigation of their behaviors. The bears lived 9:00-16:30 in the yard, containing rocks, a pergola and a pool. The bears fed once each day in a shed at about 16:30. Branches were put in the pool (without water) and a pergola. Chestnuts were hidden three each at 10 openings in the yard's rocks and branches before 9:00. Those hiding points were changed daily throughout the experimental period. Food pellets were scattered around the yard about 13:00. We investigated their behavior every 1min by direct observation before the study and at 1 day, 1 and 2 weeks, and 1 month after enrichment. Exploratory behavior 1 day after enrichment (18.64 times/h) was significantly more frequent than that before enrichment (4.53 times/h)(Kruskal-Wallis test, P<0.05). Exploratory behavior 1 month after enrichment (7.34 times/h) was significantly less frequent than that of 1 day after enrichment (P<0.05). Respective social behaviors 1 day and 2 weeks after enrichment were 1.17 and 1.43 times/h, indicating a significantly higher frequency than that before enrichment (0 times/h)(P<0.05). Results suggest that environmental enrichment activated the bears, but that its effects had limited duration.

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