Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Increased activity in the pool environment is, according to previous studies on similar aquatic birds, a clear indicator of good welfare. The welfare of animals in captivity is something many researchers and animal keepers are constantly striving to improve. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate forms of environmental enrichment that urges the Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus Humboldti) at Slottsskogen Zoo in Gothenburg to use the pool section of their habitat more frequently. The purpose of the study was to test and compare the different forms of enrichment to see how they possibly affect the pool utilization and thus promote the penguins' natural behavior, namely to swim.
Two forms of environmental enrichment were developed and evaluated. The barrel - which was an enrichment Slottsskogen had used before. This barrel was filled with food to enhance the penguins’ interest in the enrichment. The second form of enrichment was the artificial kelp and was created to imitate their natural habitat. The observations lasted for 10 days over two weeks, with the barrel as enrichment the first week and then the artificial kelp the second week. While the enrichments were offered, observations were made on both the penguins’ habitat use and behavior. This was registered via behavioral sampling.
The results showed that the pool activity of the Humboldt penguins decreased by 9% when the barrel form of enrichment was introduced. Behavior that indicates calmness, such as lying down and resting, also decreased by 9%. With the enrichment placed in the pool water, the penguins went from 3.10% of their time spent in water to 0.6%. With the enrichment form of artificial kelp the activity in the water increased from 2.7% to 15.3%.
More research is needed in this area to more reliably determine which forms of environmental enrichment are most likely to increase the penguins' activity in water.