Zoo: Project Planning and Behavioral Issues

ISSN 1479-5647

The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland

Zoo Research Guidelines
Project Planning and Behavioural Observations

© The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland 2003
All rights reserved. No part of this publication my be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Wehnelt, S., Hosie, C., Plowman, A., and A Feistner (2003) Zoo Research Guidelines: Project Planning and Behavioural
Observations The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland, London
First published 2003
Published and printed by:
The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland,
Zoological Gardens,
Regent’s Park,
London NW1 4RY,
United Kingdom
ISSN 1479-5647

Zoo Research Guidelines:
Project Planning and Behavioural Observations
Stephanie Wehnelt1, Charlotte Hosie2, Amy Plowman3, Anna Feistner4
1

North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Upton, Chester CH2 1LH, UK;
Chester College, Department of Biological Sciences, Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK;
3
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU, UK;
4
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, British Isles
2

Acknowledgements for valuable comments:
Richard Brown, Geoff Hosey, Filippo Aureli, Colleen Schaffner

Scientific investigations are the basis for understanding the animals in a zoo, assessing the way they are cared for and how they interact with their zoo environment. Through careful research, we can improve animal management, husbandry, welfare, breeding, diets etc. Research conducted in zoos can also contribute to the conservation of animals in situ. In zoos it is possible to study animals closely, which can be an excellent training for observations in the field. Zoos

References: • Crockett, CM (1996) Data collection in the zoo setting emphasising behavior • Federation Research Group (2002) Research Sampling Guidelines for Zoos Other useful texts and key papers dealing with general zoo research issues: ASAB (2001) Guidelines for the treatment of animals in behavioural research and Benirschke, K (1996) The need for multidisciplinary research units in zoos. In: Mammals in Captivity; Principles and Techniques, Kleiman, DG, Allen, ME, Thompson, KV and Bostock, S St C (1993) Zoos and Animal Rights. Routledge, London. (see chapter on ‘Science in Zoos’) Burghardt, GM (1996) Introduction: Research and welfare in animal exhibit facilities. Feistner, ATC and Price, EC (2000) Working together for conservation: A win-win strategy for zoos and universities Fitzroy Hardy, D (1996) Current research activities in zoos. In: Mammals in Captivity; Principles and Techniques, Kleiman, DG, Allen, ME, Thompson, KV and Lumpkin, S (eds). Fouts, R (1995) Science in zoos: arrogance of knowledge versus humility of ignorance. In Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation, Norton, BG, Hutchins, M, Stevens, EE and Maple, TL (eds) (1995) Smithsonian Institution Press, Hutchins, M (1988) On the design of zoo research programs. International Zoo Yearbook 27: 9-18. Hutchins, M, Dresser, B and Wemmer, C (1995) Ethical considerations in zoo and aquarium research Conservation, Norton, BG, Hutchins, M, Stevens, EE and Maple, TL (eds) (1995) Smithsonian Institution Press, London, ppp.253-276. Hutchins, M, Paul, E and Bowdoin, JM (1996) Contributions of zoo and aquarium research to wildlife conservation and science IUDZG/CBSG(IUCN/SSC) (1993) The World Zoo Conservation Strategy; The Role of the Zoos and Aquaria of the World in Global Conservation Kleiman, DG (1992) Behavior research in zoos: past, present, and future. Zoo Biology 11: 301-312. Kleiman, DG (1995) Criteria for the evaluation of zoo research projects. Zoo Biology 4: 93-98. Kleiman, DG (1996) Special research strategies for zoos and aquariums and design of research programs Kleiman, DG, Allen, ME, Thompson, KV and Lumpkin, S (eds) (1996) Wild Mammals in Captivity; Principles and Techniques Lindburg, DG (1993) Curators and applied science. Zoo Biology 12: 317-319. Mellen, JD (1994) Survey and interzoo studies used to address husbandry problems in some zoo vertebrates Norton, BG, Hutchins, M, Stevens, EE and Maple, TL (eds) (1995) Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation O’Connell, M (2000) Threats to waterbirds and wetlands: Implications for conservation, inventory and research Robinson, MH (1998) Enriching the lives of zoo animals: Where research can be fundamental Ryder, OA (1995) Zoological parks and the conservation of biological diversity: Linking ex situ and in situ conservation efforts Ryder, OA and Feistner, ATC (1995) Research in zoos: A growth area in conservation. Stoinski, TS, Lukas, KE and Maple, TL (1998) A survey of research in North American zoos and aquariums Thompson, SD (1993) Zoo research and conservation: Beyond sperm and eggs toward the science of animal management Wemmer, C, Rodden, M and Pickett, C (1997) Publication trends in zoo biology: A brief analysis of the first 15 years • Adams, DC and Anthony, CD (1996) Using randomisation techniques to analyse behavioural data • Bart, J, Fligner, MA and Notz, WI (1998) Sampling and Statistical Methods for Behavioural Ecologists • Dytham, C (1999) Choosing and Using Statistics – A Biologists Guide. Blackwell Science Ltd • Martin, P and Bateson, P (1993) Measuring Behaviour. An Introductory Guide, Second Edition • Crockett, CM (1996) Data collection in the zoo setting emphasising behavior. In: Mammals in Captivity; Principles and Techniques, Kleiman, DG, Allen, ME, Thompson,