EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT TECHNIQUES IN CAPTIVITY OF Puma concolor

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the implementation of different environmental enrichment techniques on the behavior of Puma concolor kept in captivity. Five Puma concolor, four males and one female, belonging to the Municipal Zoo of Ribeirão Preto-SP, were used for this study. For purposes of environmental enrichment, vine and sisal balls and cardboard boxes containing beef or lemon grass and cinnamon were introduced into the enclosures of the felines. The behavioral data were submitted to descriptive analysis. Even in captivity, the animals showed territorial demarcation behavior, such as urinating and roaring when feeling threatened. In addition, there was a greater interest of the Puma concolor for the cardboard boxes with beef to the detriment of those that contained lemon grass and cinnamon. The cougars also showed to be entertained by the vine and sisal balls. These findings suggest success of the environmental enrichment strategies studied, which was evidenced by the interest of the felines in the different evaluated materials. In addition, the enrichment strategies used in this study represent simple and low-cost strategies that contribute to the well-being of Puma concolor and can be applied in other institutions that house these animals.摘要：本研究旨在评估不同环境丰容 (environmental enrichment) 技术对圈养美洲狮 (Puma concolor) 行为的影响。本研究选用了来自圣保罗州里贝朗普雷图市立动物园的5只美洲狮，其中4只为雄性、1只为雌性。为实施环境丰容，研究人员将藤制球、剑麻制球以及盛放牛肉的纸箱、盛放柠檬草与肉桂的纸箱引入这些猫科动物的圈舍内。研究人员对行为学数据进行了描述性分析。结果显示，即便处于圈养环境中，美洲狮仍会表现出领地划定行为，例如在感受到威胁时排尿与吼叫。此外，相较于盛放柠檬草与肉桂的纸箱，美洲狮对装有牛肉的纸箱表现出更浓厚的兴趣；同时它们也乐于把玩藤制与剑麻制球。本研究结果证实了本次所测试的环境丰容策略的有效性，这一点可从受试猫科动物对各类丰容材料的兴趣中得到佐证。此外，本研究采用的丰容策略简便易行且成本低廉，有助于提升美洲狮的福利水平，可推广至其他饲养该物种的机构中。