Comparison of Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes) Behavior on Tour and Non-Tour Days at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest

摘要

In this study, I investigated the potential effect of a visitor program on captive chimpanzees’ (Pan troglodytes) behaviors at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW) in Cle Elum, Washington. I used focal animal sampling to score behaviors from an ethogram of affiliative, aggressive and abnormal chimpanzee behaviors, as well as foraging and vigilance. During each sample, I recorded the focal’s location within the enclosure and whether he or she was situated in locations that would be in view of visitors (present or not). I analyzed 720 minutes of data from each of the seven CSNW chimpanzees. I tested the hypothesis that the chimpanzee’s behaviors would be different on tour and non-tour days. I predicted that on tour days the chimpanzees would have shorter foraging durations and longer durations of vigilant, aggressive and abnormal behaviors. I predicted that tour days would show changes (increase or decrease) in durations of social behaviors such as affiliation and inter-chimpanzee proximity compared to non-tour days. I also hypothesized that location preference would differ on tour and non-tour days. I observed significant differences for durations of vigilant, affiliative, aggressive, and abnormal behaviors and inter-chimpanzee proximity (P values0.05). Generalizations cannot be made about the potential effects of the tours because each chimpanzee varied with respect to some behaviors on tour and non-tour days. My results will aid sanctuary staff in their decisions to halt, alter, or retain this visitor program. My data may also serve as a case study for other sanctuaries.