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Impact of an enclosure rotation on the activity budgets of two captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): An observational case study Cover

Impact of an enclosure rotation on the activity budgets of two captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca): An observational case study

By: JC Ryan and  CA Litchfield  
Open Access
|Sep 2020

Figures & Tables

Figure 1.

Photographs of Enclosure One: Outdoor area (top), indoor area (middle) and lock-away (bottom).
Photographs of Enclosure One: Outdoor area (top), indoor area (middle) and lock-away (bottom).

Figure 2.

Map of Giant Panda enclosure at Adelaide Zoo.
Map of Giant Panda enclosure at Adelaide Zoo.

Figure 3.

Number of scans spent engaged in the behavioural categories of stereotypic pacing and quasi-stereotypic pacing as a percentage of total scans (before and after enclosure rotation).
Number of scans spent engaged in the behavioural categories of stereotypic pacing and quasi-stereotypic pacing as a percentage of total scans (before and after enclosure rotation).

Figure 4.

Photographs showing Funi engaging in a somersault sequence, in the ground level doorway to the lock-away area (where this behavioural sequence typically occurred).
Photographs showing Funi engaging in a somersault sequence, in the ground level doorway to the lock-away area (where this behavioural sequence typically occurred).

Figure 5.

Frequency of somersaults performed by Funi before and after enclosure rotation.
Frequency of somersaults performed by Funi before and after enclosure rotation.

Abbreviated ethogram for Giant pandas (adapted from Swaisgood, 2004)_

BehaviourDefinition
Active behaviours
LocomotionDirectional travel at any speed. Stereotypic patterns are excluded from this category, only includes short bouts of travel with an intended goal or long bouts of travel with no evidence of a stereotypic or repetitive pattern.
ClimbingVertical ascent/descent along structure (e.g. tree/rock). Only active climbing is recorded in this category; for example resting in tree is not included.
PlayPlayful running, gymnastics, interacting with objects (paw or mouth manipulation of objects – includes enrichment items), investigating objects and hanging in trees (not resting). Includes playing in water (for example splashing).
Stereotypic behaviours
Stereotypic pacingTravels along a route which follows a stereotypic/predictable pattern. Must travel same route at least 3 times in a row or more. Includes pacing patterns that are interrupted with other stereotypic behaviours at regular intervals; for example pausing to look up at the same point in travel route.
Quasi-stereotypic pacingStereotypic behaviour which is predictable but includes variation in routes; for example, alternating between a limited number of paths. Includes pacing patterns that are interrupted with other stereotypic behaviours at regular intervals; for example pausing to look up at the same point in travel route.
StereotypicExtension of tongue onto upper or lower lips, which may be held stationary, or moved horizontally in either direction across the chosen lip.
somersaultsPerforms somersaults repeatedly in a stereotypic and predictable pattern. Must perform at least three somersaults within a ten-minute period to be considered stereotypic.
Other behaviours
Stereotypic pacingTravels along a route which follows a stereotypic/predictable pattern. Must travel same route at least 3 times in a row or more. Includes pacing patterns that are interrupted with other stereotypic behaviours at regular intervals; for example pausing to look up at the same point in travel route.
Quasi-stereotypic pacingStereotypic behaviour which is predictable but includes variation in routes; for example, alternating between a limited number of paths. Includes pacing patterns that are interrupted with other stereotypic behaviours at regular intervals; for example pausing to look up at the same point in travel route.
StereotypicRelocation of seating position marked by the brief rising to fall into a new position on the seat. Rising can occur either through the use of one or two hands pushing down against the armrests, or brief and partial propulsion by the legs.
somersaultsPerforms somersaults repeatedly in a stereotypic and predictable pattern. Must perform at least three somersaults within a ten-minute period to be considered stereotypic.
Stretch armsRemoval of one or both arms from the steering wheels and full extension of one or both elbow joints, resulting in a stretch of the respective arms muscles.
Other behaviours
RestingLying or sitting down, either awake or asleep
FeedingBehaviours related to feeding: eating food provided by keepers or foraging for plants growing in enclosure. Includes food search activity; moving around enclosure, sniffing ground or air.
MaintenanceGrooming or cleaning behaviours such as licking or biting fur.
DefecationPassing of faeces
StartleSudden, intense movement such as whole body jerk, indicative of surprise or fear. Any form of attempted distancing from an outside stimulus (e.g. rapid retreat, cringe, hide). Alert, remaining attentive and looking around or sniffing the air.
ReactionaryAttending to an external stimulus; includes any behaviour directed to a door (watching door, waiting at door, banging on door with paws). Staring at visitors, keepers and staff. Follows the movement of visitors with gaze.
DrinkingConsumes water
Out of sightGiant panda is hidden from observer’s sight

Activity budgets: Total percentage of scans spent engaged in different behavioural categories for Funi and Wang Wang (total, before enclosure rotation, and after enclosure rotation)_

Funi (overall)Wang Wang (overall)Funi (before rotation)Funi (after rotation)Wang Wang (before rotation)Wang Wang (after rotation)
Active (total)161811211619
Locomotion12159151415
Climbing4226< 12
Play< 1< 1< 10< 1< 1
Stereotypic pacing (total)8611467
Stereotypic pacing314111
Quasi-stereotypic pacing557356
Other behaviours
Resting473447463334
Feeding203221183331
Maintenance< 11< 1< 1< 12
Defecation< 1< 1< 1< 1< 1< 1
Startle2< 1< 14< 1< 1
Reactionary364275
Drinking322322
Out of sight223121
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21913/JDRSSesw.v1i1.1200 | Journal eISSN: 2206-5369 | Journal ISSN: 2205-0612
Language: English
Page range: 26 - 38
Published on: Sep 10, 2020
Published by: University of South Australia
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year

© 2020 JC Ryan, CA Litchfield, published by University of South Australia
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.