Dataset from The effect of visitors on stress-related behaviour of zoo-housed red-faced spider monkeys (Ateles Paniscus) compared in the inside and outside compartment of the enclosure

Animals held in captivity often endure more stress than wild congeners do, which might be harmful for their health and wellbeing. This stress is often expressed by showing stereotypic behaviour. Previous studies showed that visitors can have a negative impact on the stress levels of zoo-housed animals, referred to by the term ‘visitor effect’. The visitor effect is found to be strong in arboreal primate species, such as spider monkeys. The current study examined the effect of visitors on the stress-related behaviour of red-faced spider monkeys (Ateles Paniscus) housed at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo. Two visitor variables were assessed; number of visitors and sound volume. Additionally, this study examined whether there was a difference in visitor effect in the inside and outside compartment of the enclosure since these exhibits differ strongly in design. Behavioural observations were conducted for 3 weeks daily, during which all behaviour displayed by the spider monkeys was noted, along with the number of visitors present, the level of sound (in decibel) and the location of observation. This study demonstrated that an increase in average level of decibel led to an increase in stereotypic behaviour. Additionally, spider monkeys were found to display more stereotypic behaviour in the outside compartment of their enclosure. However, this study did not find the number of visitors to have an influence on the stress-related behaviour. These results suggest that visitor noise can have a negative effect on the stress levels of red-faced spider monkeys and that this effect is dependent on the exhibit design. This study hopefully provides more insight into the visitor effect by assessing the influence of two important visitor variables. These insights might improve future designs of zoo enclosures, thus enhancing animal welfare. However, future research is needed to further assess the cause of stress in zoo-housed animals.

圈养动物往往比野生同类承受更多应激反应，这可能对其健康与福祉造成损害。此类应激常通过刻板行为（stereotypic behaviour）表现出来。既往研究表明，游客会对圈养于动物园的动物的应激水平产生负面影响，该现象被称为“游客效应（visitor effect）”。研究发现，游客效应在树栖灵长类物种（如蜘蛛猴）中表现显著。本研究针对饲养于阿姆斯特丹皇家ARTIS动物园的红面蜘蛛猴（Ateles Paniscus），探究了游客对其应激相关行为的影响。本研究评估了两项游客相关变量：访客数量与环境音量。此外，鉴于动物园展区的内部与外部空间在设计上存在显著差异，本研究还探究了游客效应在展区内外是否存在差异。本研究开展了为期3周的每日行为观测，期间记录蜘蛛猴的全部行为表现，同时记录在场访客数量、声音分贝水平以及观测点位。本研究证实，平均音量的提升会使刻板行为的发生频次增加。此外，研究发现蜘蛛猴在展区外部空间的刻板行为发生率更高。不过本研究未发现访客数量对应激相关行为存在显著影响。上述结果提示，游客噪音可对红面蜘蛛猴的应激水平产生负面影响，且该效应的强弱依赖于展区的设计方案。本研究通过对两项关键游客变量的影响进行评估，有望深化对游客效应的认知。此类认知可用于优化动物园展区的后续设计，从而提升动物福利水平。不过，未来仍需开展更多相关研究，以进一步探明圈养动物园动物的应激诱因。