The science of animal introductions: Toward a methodology for scientific animal management.

摘要

Burks (1997) utilized an empirically based protocol to manage aggression in the socialization of a long-term isolate adult male gorilla. The methodology monitored active (i.e., overt) and passive (i.e., noncontact) aggression as well as affiliative behavior throughout a four step introduction process. These steps included: a baseline period, a period of visual, auditory and olfactory contact with conspecifics, limited tactile contact and physical introduction. Burks showed that this model provided an effective tool in managing aggression in a situation where abnormally high levels of aggression were expected. Such a methodology could prove useful as a tool in advancing the use of scientific methodologies in the day to day management of captive social species. This study applied a modified version of Burks' methodology to introductions of a bachelor gorilla group and a herd of female elephants at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Behavioral and physiological data were collected in order to provide evidence to support: (1) the use of the methodology in a different gorilla management situation, (2) the use of the methodology in the introductions of other social species (e.g., elephants) with a quite different social ecology than gorillas and (3) the effectiveness such a systematic model in minimizing the acute stress of individuals throughout introductions, as compared with more nonsystematic introduction methods.