Animal Life in Captivity: Insights Gained by Zoos During the Covid-19 Pandemic

At the height of confinement, zoos and animal parks found themselves in unprecedented silence, deprived of their daily flow of visitors. This imposed calm revealed unsuspected facets of animal behavior during confinement. From primates and flamingos to baboons and gorillas, the inhabitants of these spaces have responded in varied ways, from increased exploration to changes in social interactions and subtle adjustments to the absence of human observers. These periods of closure offered a unique opportunity to better understand the way in which human presence or absence influences their daily lives.

Animal behavior during confinement

The prolonged absence of visitors has disrupted the daily lives of animals in zoos and safari parks. At Twycross Zoo and Knowsley Safari, studies reported by ScienceAlert tracked the behaviors of several species of primates, including bonobos, chimpanzees, western lowland gorillas and olive baboons. These observations revealed varied and often unexpected adjustments.

In bonobos and gorillas, for example, confinement led to a reduction in the time spent in isolation. These animals appeared to strengthen their social interactions in response to the absence of external stimuli. On the other hand, gorillas, naturally more sedentary, showed a notable drop in their rest when zoos reopened, possibly due to the return of stimulation provided by the public.

Chimpanzees, for their part, increased their activity during closed periods. They spent more time exploring their environment, interacting with enrichment items, and feeding. This could indicate that the absence of visitors encouraged them to make more use of their space, without this situation seeming to harm them.

Baboons at the safari park also showed specific behaviors. During the lockdowns, they intensified their social and hierarchical interactions, including dominance and sexual behaviors. With the return of visitors, these behaviors have decreased.

The use of spaces in captivity

The behavior of animals during confinement has been profoundly modified, including the way they use space. Gorillas avoided areas close to visitors when zoos reopened, preferring more remote areas of their enclosure. This behavior could indicate an avoidance mechanism linked to human presence, although their ability to adjust their location demonstrates some flexibility.

Conversely, bonobos and chimpanzees did not show significant changes in their positioning within their enclosures. Their stable use of spaces could reflect a higher tolerance for human activity or intrinsic behavioral preferences less sensitive to disturbance.

In safari parks like Knowsley, where visitors remain confined to their vehicles, baboons have chosen to interact more frequently with visitors' cars than with rangers' cars during closed periods. However, a threshold was observed: beyond a certain number of vehicles, their activity no longer increased, suggesting saturation of the stimulation.

A measured absence of stress, but significant behavioral variations

The researchers also analyzed physiological indicators to assess the potential impact of these closures on animal stress. Fecal glucocorticoid levels, a measure of stress, did not show significant differences between the open and closed periods. These results suggest that the absence of visitors did not generate marked stress for the primates studied.

However, observed changes in animal behavior during confinement, such as reduced rest in gorillas or increased social interactions in bonobos, show that visitors actively influence the animals' daily lives. These adjustments are not necessarily negative: for certain species such as chimpanzees, the stimulation of visitors seems to promote increased activity without signs of discomfort.

In contrast, gorillas' avoidance of areas close to visitors highlights the need to provide environments that allow animals to choose their level of interaction with the public. This could include refuges or more isolated areas for species more sensitive to human presence.

An opportunity to better understand animal welfare

Data collected during confinement offers a unique perspective on the complex relationships between visitors and animals in captivity. The behavior of animals during confinement has shown how their daily environment can influence their habits. These observations highlight the importance of designing enclosures that allow animals to adapt at their own pace and manage external stimuli.

The results of these studies are not limited to primates. Other species, such as kangaroos or flamingos, have also shown similar behavioral adjustments, reinforcing the idea that each species and individual reacts differently to human presence. This diversity of behavioral responses invites zoological parks to adopt a more personalized approach to improve the well-being of their residents.