The influence of enclosure design on diurnal activity and stereotypic behaviour in captive Malayan Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus)

The effect of enclosure design on diurnal activity and stereotypic behaviour was assessed in 17 adult Malayan Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), kept either in barren indoor enclosures or relatively enriched outdoor enclosures. Locomotion was the most frequent activity observed in the indoor bears, fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research in veterinary science 2013-04, Vol.94 (2), p.228-239
Main Authors: Tan, H.M., Ong, S.M., Langat, G., Bahaman, A.R., Sharma, R.S.K., Sumita, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activity budget
adults
Animal Husbandry
Animal Welfare
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Bears
Behavior
Behavior, Animal
Circadian Rhythm
Concrete
diurnal activity
Enclosure design
Female
Glucose
Helarctos malayanus
locomotion
Malayan Sun bear
Male
outdoor enclosures
stereotyped behavior
Stereotyped Behavior - physiology
Stereotypic behaviour
Stress
Ursidae
Ursidae - physiology
Veterinary medicine
Welfare
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Summary:The effect of enclosure design on diurnal activity and stereotypic behaviour was assessed in 17 adult Malayan Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), kept either in barren indoor enclosures or relatively enriched outdoor enclosures. Locomotion was the most frequent activity observed in the indoor bears, followed by resting. In contrast, conspecifics housed outdoors spent most of the time resting. Eleven forms of stereotypic behaviours were recorded in the bears, with pacing being the most common. The frequency and repertoire of stereotypies were significantly higher in the indoor bears irrespective of enclosure size. Novel forms of locomotor (forward-reverse pacing) and oral (allo-sucking) stereotypies were recorded. Oral stereotypies were predominant in the bears housed indoors, while patrolling was confined to the outdoor bears. Enclosure complexity significantly influences activity budget and occurrence of stereotypic behaviours, highlighting the importance of appropriate enclosure design and enrichment for the welfare of captive bears.
ISSN:0034-5288
1532-2661
DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.09.024