Evaluating zoo enclosure influences on flamingo breeding and behaviour Andrew R. Marshall1,2, Emily Barrington1, Steve Nasir2,3, Catherine E. King4, Paul E. Rose5 1: Collaboration for Integrated Research, Conservation and Learning (CIRCLE), Environment Department, University of York, UK. 2: Flamingo Land, UK. 3: Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Martin Mere, UK. 4: Weltvogelpark Walsrode, Germany. 5: Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, Psychology, College of Life & Environmental Science, Washington Singer, University of Exeter, UK.
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Introduction Predominant features of zoo enclosures for a species can be measured and compared to indicators of welfare across zoos in an attempt to identify (and encourage) an evidence-base for enclosure design (Dawkins, 2006). There is much available literature on captive husbandry and influences on reproduction in flamingos (Rose et al, 2014). However, research has not demonstrated the effects of enclosure variables and management practices on key aspects of welfare, including health (e.g. trauma and foot condition), behaviour (e.g. diversity and activity) and reproductive success (e.g. incidence of display, nesting attempts, eggs laid and chicks fledged). Therefore, a collaboration between the EAZA Ciconiiformes & Phoenicopteriformes Taxon Advisory Group, the BIAZA Flamingo Focus Group and CIRCLE, is aiming to provide zoos with evidence-based “best practice” guidelines in designing enclosures and management practices which best promote welfare.
Aim & Objectives Our aim here is to assess the available breeding and behaviour data among captive flamingos in the UK, in preparation for future in-depth study of enclosure design for welfare. Specifically we (1) compare rates of egg productivity to features of enclosure design across multiple zoos, (2) assess space use across three colonies, and (3) identify research priorities for future robust and holistic assessment of flamingo enclosure design.
Methods
Results Questionnaire results showed that egg productivity increased significantly with the number of nest mounds provided per bird (fig 1). Egg productivity was also significantly higher for birds that were not routinely housed indoors overnight during summer months, compared to those that were left outdoors (fig 2). Other features of enclosure design or husbandry (e.g. enclosure size, flock size, seclusion from visitors, wing pinioning/clipping, environmental enrichment aids) showed no clear relationship to egg productivity. The behavioural results from Slimbridge also showed that use of enclosure space by all three species was only weakly related to the size of different areas within each exhibit (fig 3; data only presented for lesser flamingos).
A husbandry survey was distributed to BIAZA member zoos across the UK and Ireland to gather data on breeding success, together with enclosure and husbandry variables. We received 29 responses, including Andean, Caribbean, Chilean, greater and lesser flamingos. We also compiled data on flock sizes using ZIMS demographic data for Caribbean, Chilean, greater and hybrid birds. Enclosure measurements, flock sizes and husbandry data were then compared to breeding success, the number of eggs laid per female, i.e. “egg productivity”. Behavioural data were collected at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (Slimbridge), for Carribbean, greater and lesser flamingos. Scan sampling of the whole flock was carried out, noting the location of each individual in relation to pre-defined zones of the exhibits. Space-use was then assessed relative to the size of each zone.
Discussion These results can only be considered provisional, because of the basic nature of the analysis, and continuing data collection. The provisioning of artificial nest mounds is recommended in existing husbandry guidelines, and we show that increasing these has a positive influence on egg productivity. The observed decrease in egg productivity for flamingos routinely shepherded inside during summer suggests that social disruption and stress may harm breeding. Behaviour is constrained by resource provision within enclosures, with birds preferentially spending more time in areas of an enclosure that contain resources that are appealing or valuable, such as food and nest mounds (e.g. zones A and F; Fig 3). However, the weak association of flocks with the size of each zone suggests that zone size within an enclosure can influence behaviour. These data will later be analysed using a robust multivariate regression model. More data points from different zoos will also be gathered to strengthen the conclusions, including more measures of breeding success including nesting behaviour, hatching success and chick survival.
Conclusions • • •
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Data on flamingo welfare and enclosure design have potential to strengthen husbandry guidelines Increasing nest mounds may have a positive influence on breeding success Moving flamingos indoors during summer months may be detrimental to breeding success Enclosure space use is influenced by area and resource provisioning Multivariate analyses across multiple zoos are required to fully assess the major influences
References Dawkins MS (2006) A user’s guide to animal welfare science. Trends Ecol Evol 21 77-82. Rose PE, Croft DP, Lee R (2014) A review of captive flamingo (Phoenicopteridae) welfare: a synthesis of current knowledge and future directions. Int Zoo Ybk 48.
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