Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine enclosure utilization and visitor effect on the
Humboldt penguin at Slottsskogen located in Gothenburg, Sweden in order to use
the results to possibly improve welfare for both this flock and other flocks in
captivity. The Humboldt penguin is a threatened species and therefor it is of the
most importance to work towards conservation and a way to do this is by keeping
and letting them reproduce in zoos. There are different ways to look at visitor effects
and research on different species in varying surroundings has shown contrasting
results. Positive, negative and neutral effects have been seen and not much research
has been conducted in this area regarding the Humboldt penguin.
The method used was scan sampling with intervals of five minutes for two hours,
three sessions a day, for twelve days. The enclosure was divided into seven different
zones with varying environments. The flock consisted of 32 individuals in varying
ages raised in the enclosure.
The results indicate that this flock does not seem to be negatively affected by
visitor numbers or intensity when it comes to enclosure utilization as the whole
enclosure is used by the penguins. They also spent a lot of time in the water
swimming (18 %) which can be argued to be an important natural behaviour for the
Humboldt penguin. The results regarding visitor effects were difficult to interpret
as it was not clear if the penguins were not affected by visitors, if visitors actually
attracted the penguins or if the visitors were attracted to the enclosure when high
levels of activity was shown.
More research is needed to conclude if this only applies to this particular group
or if Humboldt penguins in zoos are not affected by visitors in general.