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Investigating the Use of GIS for Monitoring Visitor Effects and Enclosure Use of Captive Birds in a Mixed Species, Free-Ranging Aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL

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Investigating the Use of GIS for Monitoring Visitor Effects and Enclosure Use of Captive Birds in a Mixed Species, Free-Ranging Aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL Investigating the Use of GIS for Monitoring Visitor Effects and Enclosure Use of Captive Birds in a Mixed Species, Free-ranging Aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL. by Mackenzie Blanchett A Thesis presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Animal Bioscience Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Mackenzie Blanchett, January, 2018 ABSTRACT Investigating the use of GIS for monitoring visitor effects and enclosure use of captive birds in a mixed species, free-ranging aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL. Mackenzie Blanchett Advisor: University of Guelph, 2017 Esther Finegan Visitor effects and enclosure use were examined in a mixed species free-ranging exhibit using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the Main Aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL. Scan sampling was used to track the location of 24 bird species (n = 98) within the aviary, visitor numbers, noise levels and weather conditions. Results revealed that birds responded to increasing visitors by moving further away from the path, decreasing range sizes and increasing use of ground vegetation cover. However, lack of interference with behaviour patterns suggests that the birds are not experiencing negative welfare consequences, and that instead these responses are coping mechanisms used to reduce the effects of increasing visitor numbers. It was determined that factors such as weather condition, habitat preference and territoriality further play a role in influencing the space selectivity of the birds. Overall, GIS was determined to be an effective tool for examining these effects. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Esther Finegan for her guidance and support throughout my Masters and for providing me with the opportunity to pursue behavioural research. As well, I would like to thank Jim Atkinson and Ian Duncan for their input and assistance along the way. I am very thankful as well for the guidance and assistance that was provided by Adam Bonnycastle in all things concerning GIS and spatial analysis. I would like to thank Dr. Ray Ball chief veterinarian at Lowry Park Zoo for his enthusiasm surrounding the research and his facilitation of the study. A huge thank you as well to the staff and keepers at the Main Aviary for their interest surrounding the project and their invaluable insights concerning all of the birds. I am also very thankful to my research assistant Shining Wang and the dedication she showed throughout the research process. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family for their words of encouragement throughout the past two years. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii LIST OF TABLES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- viii LIST OF APPENDICES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- x 1 INTRODUCTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 1.1 Objectives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 2 THE EFFECTS OF INCREASING VISITOR AND NOISE LEVELS ON BIRDS WITHIN A MIXED SPECIES FREE-RANGING ENVIRONMENT EXAMINED THROUGH ENCLOSURE USE AND POSITION WITHIN THE EXHIBIT----------------------------------------- 5 2.1 Abstract ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 2.2 Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 2.3 Methods and materials --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 2.3.1 Study site and animals ------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 2.3.2 Production of aviary map --------------------------------------------------------------- 9 2.3.2.1 Surveying of aviary ------------------------------------------------------------ 9 2.3.2.2 Input into GIS -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.3.3 Data collection -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 2.3.3.1 Bird data ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10 2.3.3.2 Visitor and environmental data ------------------------------------------ 12 2.3.4 Statistical analysis ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 2.3.4.1 Data entry into GIS -------------------------------------------------------- 12 2.3.4.2 Pearson’s correlation coefficients: Effects of visitor and environmental variables on position in the aviary --------------------- 12 2.3.4.3 Chi square tests: Behaviour Data ------------------------------------------ 13 2.3.4.4 Three-dimensional matrix: Change in overall range size ------------- 13 v 2.4 Results ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 2.4.1 Environmental variables ---------------------------------------------------------------- 13 2.4.2 Response to increasing visitor and noise levels --------------------------------------- 14 2.4.2.1 Horizontal and vertical distance from the path ------------------------- 14 2.4.2.2 Vegetation use ---------------------------------------------------------------- 14 2.4.2.3 Changes in range size -------------------------------------------------------- 16 2.4.3 Response to weather conditions ----------------------------------------------------------- 17 2.4.4 Changes in behaviour patterns------------------------------------------------------------- 19 2.5 Discussion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 2.5.1 Response to increasing visitor and noise levels: Distance from the path and ground ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 2.5.2 Response to increasing visitor and noise levels: Changes in range size --------- 21 2.5.3 Response to increasing visitor and noise levels: Use of vegetation cover ------- 21 2.5.4 Influence of weather conditions on positions in the enclosure ------------------- 22 2.5.5 Welfare Implications: Behavioural responses and free-ranging enclosures ----- 23 2.5.6 Limitations of study and directions for future research --------------------------- 24 2.6 Conclusions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 3 EXAMINING SPACE SELECTIVITY AND ENCLOSURE USE OF BIRDS WITHIN A MIXED SPECIES FREE-RANGING ENVIRONMENT USING GIS --------------------------- 27 3.1 Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27 3.2 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 3.3 Methods and Materials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30 3.3.1 Study site and animals ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 30 3.3.2 Production of aviary map ------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 vi 3.3.2.1 Surveying of aviary ----------------------------------------------------------- 31 3.3.2.2 Input into GIS --------------------------------------------------------------- 31 3.3.3 Data collection -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31 3.3.4 Statistical analysis ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 33 3.3.4.1 Data entry into GIS ------------------------------------------------------------ 33 3.3.4.2 Grouping analysis and habitat preference ------------------------------- 33 3.3.4.3 Comparing range overlap -------------------------------------------------------- 34 3.4 Results ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34 3.4.1 Grouping analysis and habitat preference ------------------------------------------ 34 3.4.2 Comparing range overlap ------------------------------------------------------------- 40 3.5 Discussion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42 3.5.1 Grouping patterns within the aviary ---------------------------------------------- 42 3.5.2 Comparing range overlap ----------------------------------------------------------- 43 3.5.3 Future directions for research ------------------------------------------------------- 45 3.6 Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46 4 DISCUSSION --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47 5 REFERENCES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 51 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 An overhead map of the Main Aviary at the Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL, used for data collection, analysis and interpretation ------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Figure 2.2 Results of a Pearson Correlation Coefficient test displaying change in enclosure position and vegetation use of birds in the Main Aviary at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa FL, during periods of increasing noise levels and periods of increasing visitor numbers. Significance determined at α = 0.05---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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