Abstract Hypothesis: Results and Charts Discussion
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Substrate use in Large Primates: Natural Versus Artificial Substrate use in Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans By: Alicia Sanchez, Corrine Coldren, Monique Andujo and Sinai Trujillo Abstract Hypothesis: Results and Charts Discussion Conservation efforts are being made all around the world to save the Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans will engage more with artificial ● Zones ● Reasons contributing to continuous usage of artificial substrates: ○ Zone 1 1)More artificial substrates are available Sumatran (Pongo abelii) and Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus) Orangutans . substrates than with natural substrates. ■ Artificial: 86 Natural:137 2)Orangutans are arboreal primates; the climbing structure is artificial These are the largest arboreal mammals. They are currently endangered ○ Zone 2 3)Tree branches extend beyond the reach of the orangutans and therefore, Methods: they are unable to climb the trees. due to the deforestation of their natural habitat in efforts to provide SUBJECTS ■ Artificial: 77 Natural:109 ○ Zone 3 ● Disadvantages: consumers with palm oil. There is an estimated population of only 7,300 The subjects in this study include a mix of Sumatran orangutans (Pongo ■ Artificial: 58 Natural: 57 1) Limited amount of subjects ○ Zone 4 Sumatran Orangutans. The species as a whole has a chance to survive in a abelii) and Bornean orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus) housed at the San 2) Janey has a hip injury –– as well as arthritis–– that hinders her ability ■ Artificial: 185 Natural: 80 more controlled environment as opposed to being out in the wild because Diego Zoo in Southern California. Our subjects consisted of one adult to climb; this affects the amount of artificial substrates that she may ○ Zone 5 use. in the wild, the Orangutans only live to be about 45 years old. In a male, Satu (born on March 26, 1995), three mature females: Janey (born in ■ Artificial: 788 Natural: 89 3) Subjects moved to blind spots ○ Zone 6 4) Zoo visitors occasionally obstructed the view of the Orangutans controlled environment, such as the San Diego Zoo, they can live up to 59 1962), Indah (born on July 23, 1986), Karen (born on June 11, 1992), and ■ Artificial: 2 Natural: 54 5) Limited control on days we were able to observe years old with all the correct amenities. In order to preserve the species, a female infant named Aisha (October 25, 2013). The Sumatran ○ Non-Zone ■ Artificial: 81 Natural: 32 the orangutan keepers must know what is needed for the orangutans’ ● Future endorsement: orangutans live in a mixed habitat with two siamangs (Symphalangus 1) Observe Orangutans at different zoos for larger sample size emotional and physical health. By observing how the orangutans interact syndactylus), one female (1981) and one male (1983). In order to remain 2) Create charts on larger papers to eliminate interrupting the observation to flip through the pages with the substrates given in their habitat at the San Diego Zoo in organized, the enclosed habitat was divided into six different zones, each California, we will be able to provide the zookeepers and the research consisting of different artificial and natural substrates. Conclusion: As hypothesized, the orangutans utilized more artificial committee with information as to which substrates are more beneficial for substrates than natural substrates. There were, in fact, this critically endangered species. All Sumatran Orangutans were observed more artificial substrates available to the orangutans and for a total of 80 hours through naturalistic observation. In this study, the therefore this significantly affected the outcome frequency of natural vs artificial substrate was observed. We hypothesize that both species of orangutans will engage more with artificial substrate than natural substrates. By contributing to this research, our endeavor is to provide more information on this species, possibly help combat the References: 1 Fragaszy, D. M., & Adams-Curtis, L. E. (1991). Generative aspects of orangutan extinction, and provide the orangutans with a more comfortable Apparatus manipulation in tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella). Journal Of environment. Comparative Psychology, 105(4), 387-397. doi:10.1037/0735- The following items were used in the primate observation study: ● Individual Subject Data Collected 7036.105.4.387 ○ Satu Gruber, T., Potts, K. B., Krupenye, C., Byrne, M., Mackworth-Young, C. ● Stopwatch-Brand: Sportline ■ Artificial-106 Natural-229 McGrew, W. C., & … Zuberbühler, K. (2012). The influence of ecology on Introduction Procedure ○ Karen chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) cultural behavior: A case study of five Substrate: the surface or material on or from which an organism ■ Artificial-99 Natural-226 Ugandan chimpanzee communities. Journal Of Comparative Psychology, lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment. ● Naturalistic observations were conducted from February- May 2016 by ○ Janey 126(4), 446-457. doi:10.1037/a0028702 Reghem, E., Tia, B., Bels, V. & Pouydebat, E. (2011). Food prehension and four experimenters for about 1-3 hours per week, depending on the ■ Artificial-81 Natural-62 manipulation in Microcebus murinus (Prosimii, Cheirogaleidae). Folia Primatol. There have been various experiments conducted on primate ○ Indah availability of the experimenters ■ Artificial--346 Natural-66 (Basel) 82, 177– 188. substrate use for different types of primates as well as with ● The observations were randomly conducted and varied in time between ○ Aisha orangutans. Nevertheless, this specific subject has not been ■ Artificial: 651 Natural: 82 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a total of 80 hours of observation. thoroughly explored. One specific study found that the diameter Acknowledgments: of the substrates plays a significant role in the frequency of their ● Data collection involved a data chart that we used to keep track of the ● Carrie Harvatin & Tammy Rach (San Diego Zoo Global) for coordination efforts of Orangutan research volunteer program use. The study found that the primates opted to use the hands frequency of use of each substrate.. and the mouth combined when obtaining wide substrates. While ● San Diego Mesa College Professor Jaye VanKirk obtaining static substrates, the primates utilized their mouth Ratio of Natural and Artificial in Each Zone alone. In our study at the San Diego Zoo, only static objects ❏ Zone 1- 5:3 were observed but this experiment unleashed even more ❏ Zone 2- 5:10 questions to ponder (Reghem et al., 2011; Scheumann et all., ❏ Zone 3- 4:7 2011). By observing the orangutans’ substrate use, this helps researchers identify critical aspects related to their wellbeing as ❏ Zone 4- 7:7 well as information regarding how to abolish orangutan ❏ Zone 5- 6:16 extinction. ❏ Zone 6- 4:1 ❏ Non- Zone- 10:2.