The Effects of Automated Scatter Feeders on Captive Grizzly Bear Activity Budgets

Abstract

Although captive bears are popular zoo attractions, they are known to exhibit high levels of repetitive behaviors (RBs). These behaviors have also made them particularly popular subjects for welfare research. To date, most research on ursid welfare has focused on various feeding methods that seek to increase time spent searching for, extracting, or consuming food. Prior research indicates an average of a 50% reduction in RBs when attempts are successful and, roughly, a 50% success rate across studies. This research focused on decreasing time spent in an RB while increasing the time spent active by increasing time spent searching for, extracting, and consuming food. The utility of timed, automated scatter feeders was examined for use with captive grizzly bears (Ursis arctos horribilis). Findings include a significant decrease in time spent in RB and a significant increase in time spent active while the feeders were in use. Further, the bears exhibited a wider range of behaviors and a greater use of their enclosure.

Keywords::

• ursid
• enrichment
• scatter feed
• welfare
• activity budget

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, a tremendous thanks to Northwest Trek volunteers, interns, and staff who provided me with multiple resources in conducting this study. In particular, I would like to thank the bears' keeper and the hardest-working keeper in the business, Angela Gibson. A great many thanks to Eduardo “Eddie” J. Fernandez as well for introducing me to the world of empirical behavioral assessment of animal welfare and teaching me enough that I was able to conduct a study as a principal investigator. Finally, thank you to Joshua Freitag for purchasing the feeders and Adam Hart for building me the inserts for the feeders.