Effect of Sensory Enrichments on the Behaviour of Captive Northern Lynx (Lynx Lynx Lynx) and Assessment of Automated Behaviour Monitoring Technologies
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Linköping University | Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Type of thesis, 60 hp | Educational Program: Physics, Chemistry and Biology Spring or Autumn term 2019 | LITH-IFM-x-EX—19/3610 --SE Effect of sensory enrichments on the behaviour of captive Northern lynx (Lynx lynx lynx) and assessment of automated behaviour monitoring technologies Uranie JEAN-LOUIS Examinator, Per Jensen Tutor, Mats AMUNDIN Avdelning, institution Datum Division, Department Date 02/06/2019 Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology Linköping University Språk Rapporttyp ISBN Language Report category Svenska/Swedish Licentiatavhandling ISRN: LITH-IFM-x-EX--19/3610--SE Engelska/English Examensarbete _________________________________________________________________ C-uppsats D-uppsats Serietitel och serienummer ISSN ________________ Övrig rapport Title of series, numbering ______________________________ _____________ URL för elektronisk version Titel Title Effect of sensory enrichments on the behaviour of captive Northern lynx (Lynx lynx lynx) and assessment of automated behaviour monitoring technologies. Författare Author Uranie JEAN-LOUIS Sammanfattning Abstract Captive environments like zoo exhibits offer limited space, lacking many of the environmental stimuli that are present in the wild. This may reduce animal welfare and potentially lead to the development of stereotypic behaviour like pacing. Environmental enrichment is used to prevent and reduce pacing and enhance animal well-being. The aim of this project was to evaluate sensory enrichments, and the effect of such enrichment on pacing in a group of Northern lynx by means of new, automated monitoring technologies in combination with traditional visual observations. The lynxes were exposed to valerian, catnip and cinnamon as olfactory enrichment. The acoustic enrichments were play-backed mouse squeals, roe deer barking and lynx vocalizations, and live crickets. The responses of the lynx were recorded by logging their subcutaneous HDX pit tags, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags mounted on collars and using a wildlife camera. The results showed that catnip elicited clear “catnip responses” i.e sniffing, rubbing, biting and licking. The sounds were found to attract the lynxes and increase their arousal. One of the sounds, the lynx calls, elicited social behaviour. However, none of the sensory treatments reduced pacing. The combination of these automated technologies with visual observation was powerful to evaluate the effect of enrichment on captive lynxes and to monitor their activity patterns and stereotypic behaviours. Sensory enrichment could also be used in the wild as lures to attract lynxes to BLE or HDX PIT tag logging stations and to wildlife cameras, as part of monitoring a lynx population. Nyckelord Keyword Automatic monitoring, Environmental enrichment, Northern Lynx, Pacing, Odour, Sound Contents 1 Abstract .............................................................................................................................. 1 2 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Stereotypic behaviour .................................................................................................. 1 2.2 Environmental enrichment .......................................................................................... 3 2.3 Lynx ecology ............................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Lynx monitoring in the wild ........................................................................................ 4 2.5 Lynx senses .................................................................................................................. 6 2.6 Sensory enrichment ..................................................................................................... 6 2.7 Aims and Predictions ................................................................................................... 7 3 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Lynx ............................................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Lynx enclosure ............................................................................................................ 8 3.3 Daily routine /Husbandry ............................................................................................ 9 3.4 Experimental setup olfactory enrichment .................................................................. 10 3.4.1 Olfactory enrichment .......................................................................................... 10 3.4.2 Olfactory response monitoring ........................................................................... 11 3.4.3 Pacing ................................................................................................................. 14 3.5 Experimental setup auditory enrichment ................................................................... 15 3.5.1 Auditory enrichment .......................................................................................... 15 3.5.2 Auditory enrichment response monitoring ......................................................... 16 3.6 Statistical analysis ...................................................................................................... 17 3.6.1 Visual observation .............................................................................................. 17 3.6.2 Automatic logging .............................................................................................. 18 3.6.3 Pacing ................................................................................................................. 19 4 Results .............................................................................................................................. 20 4.1 Visual observations .................................................................................................... 20 4.1.1 Olfactory treatment ............................................................................................ 20 4.1.2 Auditory treatment ............................................................................................. 23 4.2 Automatic logging ..................................................................................................... 26 4.2.1 Olfactory treatment ............................................................................................ 26 4.2.2 Comparisons between the Reconyx wildlife camera, HDX PIT tag antenna and BLE tag detection smartphone app data collected at the scent station. ............................ 30 4.2.3 Auditory treatment ............................................................................................. 31 4.3 Pacing ........................................................................................................................ 32 4.3.1 Olfactory treatment ............................................................................................ 32 4.3.2 Auditory treatment ............................................................................................. 33 4.3.3 Individual pacing habits ..................................................................................... 35 5 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 36 5.1 Olfactory treatment .................................................................................................... 36 5.2 Auditory treatment ..................................................................................................... 41 5.3 Time budget ............................................................................................................... 44 5.4 Improvement of the study .......................................................................................... 45 5.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 46 6 Societal and ethical considerations ................................................................................ 46 7 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 47 8 References ........................................................................................................................ 48 9 Appendix .......................................................................................................................... 55 1 Abstract Captive environments like zoo exhibits offer limited space, lacking many of the environmental stimuli that are present in the wild. This may reduce animal welfare and potentially lead to the development of stereotypic behaviour like pacing. Environmental enrichment is used to prevent and reduce pacing and enhance animal well-being. The aim of this project was to evaluate sensory enrichments, and the effect of such enrichment on pacing in a group of Northern lynx by means of new, automated monitoring technologies in combination with traditional visual observations. The lynxes were exposed to valerian, catnip and cinnamon as olfactory enrichment. The acoustic enrichments were play-backed mouse squeals, roe deer barking and lynx vocalizations, and live crickets. The responses of the lynx were recorded