Enriquecimento ambiental alimentar e cognitivo em parque urbano: um estudo de bem-estar para grandes felinos cativos no zoológico de Goiânia

Abstract

In order to mainly promote research and conservation of species, modern zoos tend to promote a modernization of this system. With the insertion of enclosures as close as possible to the reality of the animal, appropriate environmental enrichment for each species, correct training of zoo staff for better handling of captive animals, and especially the conservation of species. The main objectives of this work were to address the environmental food and cognitive enrichment for cats in captivity at the Zoo of Goiânia, in addition to discussing the validity of this enrichment model as a constant and fixed form in the programs of zoos. The study animals were 12 animals, four tigers (Panthera tigris), three pumas (Puma concolor), three jaguars (Panthera onca) and two lions (Panthera leo). An ethogram was used as a basis for analyzing behaviors, in which the analysis of specific behaviors was given as a basis for checking for excessive inactivity and / or pacing. With the focal animal observation method, and using the ¿surprise box¿ enrichment method that consisted of pieces of meat inside cardboard boxes offered to the cats. The statistical results obtained indicated that enrichment increased social, rest and physiological behavior, and decreased pacing and excessive inactivity. Each species reacted in a different way to enrichments, with better results being noticed with the Panthera onca group, followed by the Panthera leo, Panthera tigris and Puma concolor groups, respectively. As a consequence, the theory of the use of environmental enrichment has been proven, compared with other works similar to this one, resulting in an improvement in the well-being of felines during work