Effects of enrichment on faecal corticosterone and stereotypic behaviour of sloth bears (Melursus ursinus) in captivity at Chiang Mai Night Safari
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Abstract
Corticosterone is a hormone that responds to the level of stress in animals and to their stereotypic behaviour. In wildlife and captive animals, organising activities for behaviour enrichment and improvement of animal welfare and quality of life is necessary. This study aimed to investigate the effects on stereotypic behaviours associated with behaviour enrichment on the levels of corticosterone in faeces and the correlation between faecal corticosterone and stereotypic behaviours in captive sloth bears. The five sloth bears used were captive at Chiang Mai Night Safari. Data were collected in three periods: before, during, and after the behaviour enrichment. The faeces were collected individually to determine corticosterone using enzyme-immunoassay (EIA). Repetitive pacing in the same area was observed as stereotypic behaviour. The results showed that individual faecal corticosterone levels and the stereotypic behaviour of the sloth bears before and during the behaviour enrichment period were significantly different (P<0.05). Stereotypic behaviour was statistically significantly different before, during, and after the behaviour enrichment (P<0.05). Additionally, the correlation between the amount of faecal corticosterone and stereotypic behaviour was calculated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and found to be statistically significantly related (P<0.05). This study provides basic information about the effect of enrichment on faecal corticosterone and the stereotypic behaviour of captive sloth bears.
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