Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus Chrysomelas) is endemic to the Bahia region, Brazil. The estimated wild population is between 6 000-15 000 individuals and is declining. The species is classified as endangered due to fragmentation from deforestation. Golden-headed lion tamarins are insectivores and frugivores, the choice of food can contain insects, fruits, nectar, plant-based food and gum. This study focused on the enclosure use of two individuals of golden-headed lion tamarins in Furuvik, Sweden. The purpose was to observe the tendencies of preferred zones in their habitat, behaviour budget and individual differences. The enclosure was divided into zones where A-C are unwanted “out of sight” zones that are not a part of the enclosure’s habitat. Observations took place during a 10-day period between 7:30-15:30. Every hour was observed five times, the registration method scan sampling with 1-minute interval was used. Due to the low rate of total registrations of behaviors the analyzed behaviors in this study focused on the four highest; observation, movement, eating/drinking and not visible.
The results showed that the total percentage of the total number of registrations was highest in the zones A, E and B. Individual differences in zone preference varied with 1,92-3,92%. The distribution of behaviour and zones over time related to the feeding routines of the staff at 7:30 and between 11:00 – 12:00. The individuals were more visible during and after feeding, differences in behaviour and choices of zones could be seen for the analyzed behaviors. To summarize, the most preferred zones were zone A, E and B. The unwanted “out of sight” zones A and B were used frequently with slightly under 65% of registrations in these zones for both individuals. A redesign of the enclosure to provide a habitat that simulates the same form of environment and security the unwanted zones do is required to avoid further presence there.