Captive chimpanzees spontaneously use tools to excavate underground food

MAY 15, 2019

by Public Library of Science

Chimpanzees in captivity can successfully work out how to use tools to excavate underground food, even if they've never been presented with an underground food scenario before, according to a study published May 15, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Alba Motes-Rodrigo and colleagues and directed by Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar from the University of Oslo.

Recent studies have indicated that wild chimpanzees and bearded capuchins are capable of using tools to excavate underground food such as plant roots, corms, and tubers—overturning earlier hypotheses that this type of tool use was unique to humans and their ancient hominin ancestors. In this study, the authors studied tool use and selection in captive chimps to further understand how food excavation behavior may have developed.

Motes-Rodrigo and colleagues monitored a colony of ten chimpanzees (Pan troglogytes) living on an island enclosure at the Kristiansand Zoo in Norway, eight of whom were born in captivity and none of whom had previously performed excavating behaviors. The authors dug five small holes and placed whole fruit in each, initially leaving the holes open to alert the chimpanzees to the fruit, and later filling in each hole. At first, the authors provided ready-made tree stick and bark tools; in a second experiment, they did not provide ready-made tools for excavation.

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Future of elephants living in captivity hangs in the balance

Date:  March 26, 2019

Source:  University of Sheffield

Scientists at the University of Sheffield and University of Turku are looking at ways to boost captive populations of Asian elephants without relying on taking them from the wild.

Almost a third of Asian elephants are in captivity in countries like India, Myanmar and Thailand, mainly being used in the timber industry to drag logs or for tourism.

Sustaining wild populations is the conservation priority but, with so many individuals in captivity, maintaining sustainable captive populations with high welfare standards is also important for the future of the species.

The sustainability of these elephant populations has always relied on the capture of their wild counterparts, but now they are a protected species their future is uncertain.

In a joint research study, the University of Sheffield and the University of Turku, in Finland, working alongside The Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE), investigated how trends in elephant capture from the wild influenced birth, death and population growth in 3,500 working elephants over 54 years.

Using birth and death rates from years where wild-capture was reduced the scientists assessed the outlook for captive elephants and found that the population is vulnerable to decline.

The research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggests that immediate population declines may be reduced if survival in juvenile elephants is improved.

This could involve improving welfare standards during the training period, as the elephants are separated from their mothers and trained for work around the age of four, which can be stressful for them, and identifying pregnant females earlier and improving their welfare so they can provide for and bond with their calf.

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Carnivores in captivity give birth at the same time of year as those in the wild

Date: May 7, 2018

Source: University of Zurich

Summary:

Reproductive seasonality is a fixed characteristic of a species -- researchers have now found that carnivores in captivity give birth at the same time of year as their counterparts in the wild. In some species, the gestation period is shortened in order to provide ideal conditions for the offspring, while for others it is extended.

Continued 

Farewell, Basi: World's Oldest Captive Panda Dies at 37

By Sarah B. Puschmann, Staff Writer | September 14, 2017 12:45pm ET

The oldest giant panda in captivity died yesterday (Sept. 13) at the advanced age of 37, according to the state-run Chinese news outlet Xinhua News Agency.

The panda, named Basi, died of multiple causes, including cirrhosis of the liver and kidney failure, the animal's keepers said.

"Basi has left, but her beautiful image and Basi spirit will forever be in our hearts," said Chen Yucun, director of the Straits Giant Panda Research and Exchange Center in Fuzhou, China, which housed Basi, according to Agence France-Presse. (In Fujian province, where Fuzhou is the capital, "basi" has come to mean "beautiful," according to Pandas International, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization.) 

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WWF Statement on New USFWS Regulations for Domestic Captive Tigers

In response to today’s announcement by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that it will improve the regulation and monitoring of the U.S.'s large captive tiger population, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Leigh Henry, senior policy advisor for wildlife conservation and co-author of the first study to look at the connection between these cats and illegal trade:

"The U.S. just threw a lifeline to tiger populations fighting to make a comeback in the wild. By tightening regulations around captive tigers, the U.S. is making it harder for captive-bred tigers to filter into and stimulate the black market that threatens wild tigers in Asia.

"More tigers exist in captivity in the U.S. than remain in the wild globally. Astonishingly, there is no system in the U.S. to monitor how many captive tigers there are, who owns them, when they’re sold or traded, and what happens to their parts when they die.

"The new regulations by USFWS are a critical first step toward ensuring that tigers bred in the U.S. aren’t helping fuel the illegal trade that drives poaching of wild tigers overseas. It's also another sign that the Obama administration takes wildlife crime seriously.

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Will animals of the future only be safe in captivity?

David Shukman

Science editor

28 June 2015 

From the section

Science & Environment

David Shukman goes in search of lemurs in their natural habitat

Look ahead towards the middle of the century and much-loved animals such as lemurs, rhinos and tigers will only survive in some form of captivity.

And extinction will be even more of a threat than it is now.

An overly bleak and pessimistic view? Maybe.

But after reporting on the state of wildlife in Madagascar this past week, I cannot see how many of the most iconic creatures will be able to roam in their natural habitats for much longer.

I don't mean a future necessarily confined to zoos, but one in which lives are led in special zones guarded by fences and patrols and CCTV. Free, but only up to a point.

The reasons are obvious: growing populations and the thirst for resources and the black market for animals all mean that humans and animals are increasingly competing for territory and survival. And the animals usually lose.

As we picked our way through the remaining pockets of forest in Madagascar, I heard that less than 10% of the original cover is left.

And those remaining stretches of jungle - the sole habitats for the country's famous lemurs - are under constant attack as local people seek to create farmland or hunt for fresh meat.

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Moscow whales kept in cramped conditions for nearly a year

Following the news of ten wild orcas being captured in the Far East of Russia, with two being transferred to Moscow for captivity (which we reported here), the backlash against the city’s new exhibition centre VDNKh for keeping the whales continues. The Independent reports that Russian animal activist group Vita, along with other supporters, battles to gain public support and raise awareness of what they claim is animal cruelty. 

The two killer whales were to be transferred to the centre’s new aquarium – said to become Europe’s largest – in spring 2014, but delays in construction have meant the whales have been kept in temporary housing since their arrival 10 months ago. 

Aleksandr Burdin, Director of the Far East Russia Orca Project, supports Vita in their campaign and compares the orcas’ current living situation with “putting a human in a barrel with water and keeping him or her there for a long time,” while Head of Vita Irina Novozhilova claimed in a statement the animals are living in ‘solitary confinement cells’. 

Read on ...

Elephant in India Rescued After 50 Years of Being Shackled and Abused

After 50 years of being shackled in spikes, Raju the elephant has been freed from captivity in India. A team of 10 wildlife experts and veterinarians from Wildlife SOS, accompanied by police, entered his enclosure in the middle of the night, removed the shackles from his legs, and rescued Raju.

Operation Raju was difficult. During the mission, his captors tried to fight off the rescuers, who eventually had to gain the elephant's trust by offering it fruit.

Volunteers say they witnessed tears streaming down Raju's face after he was freed from his chains. Some animal experts believe elephants are capable of crying since they appear to experience emotions similar to those of humans.

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Wild beavers spotted in Devon to be 'rehomed'

Beavers living wild in Devon are to be caught and "rehomed" in captivity, the government has said.

A recent sighting of three beavers in the River Otter was said to have been the first of its kind for centuries.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said they could be carrying a disease "not currently present in the UK".

Environment Minister George Eustice said the government was considering "the best way" of rehoming the animals.

The beavers have been spotted at several places along the River Otter, between Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary.

Defra said it needed to assess the impact of beavers before allowing them into the wild

In a Parliamentary answer, Mr Eustice said: "We intend to recapture and rehome the wild beavers in Devon and are currently working out plans for the best way to do so.

"All decisions will be made with the welfare of the beavers in mind."

He added there were "no plans to cull beavers".

Beavers were hunted to extinction in England and Wales during the 12th Century.

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Female Florida panther, raised in captivity, gives birth in the wild

Released female panther gives birth

June 2013. Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have discovered that a female Florida panther that was rescued as an orphaned kitten and raised in captivity has given birth just a few months after her release back into the wild. Biologists found an approximately 1-month-old female kitten in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in southwest Florida, near where they released the young adult panther on Jan. 31.

"We were very excited to find this panther's kitten," said Dave Onorato, FWC panther biologist. "The fact that this panther has given birth is positive news for the recovery of this endangered species and a testament to the hard work of all involved in its rescue and rehabilitation."

Early conception

Biologists estimate the female panther became pregnant about three weeks after her release, when she was only 21 months old. That age is somewhat younger than the typical age of first conception for female panthers the FWC has documented. While biologists are encouraged the female became a contributor to the population so quickly, it was not completely unexpected, given that her home range is within prime panther habitat.

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Whale shark capture threatens Kenya’s image for responsible tourism

Whale sharks are the largest fish, reaching lengths of more than 12 metres and weights of more than 20 tonnes, abd are highly migratory - Totally unsuitable for captivity. Credit EAD

Ill-advised tourism ‘adventure' threatens Kenyan Whale sharks - Born Free Foundation and international marine experts are outraged

March 2013. Plans to capture and keep some Whale sharks in an enclosure off the south coast ok Kenya threatens Kenya's hard fought for reputation as a responsible tourism destination. Under the sham pretence of conservation, the company involved is hoping to make money from visits and people paying to swim with whale sharks.

Whale sharks are migratory and deep diving filter feeders, three things that captive animals will be unable to do. This thinly veiled attempt to make money from captive whale sharks will put people off visiting Kenya altogether. Kenya has spent many years building up its image as a leader in Responsible Tourism, and has led the fight against elephant poaching and legalising ivory sales, but this gross idea threatens to undermine many years of hard work.

A huge outcry has been sparked off amongst conservation groups and marine scientists by plans by Seaquarium Ltd. in Kenya to begin catching wild migrating whale sharks for public display in a marine enclosure off the southern Kenyan coast, ostensibly for the purposes of "tourism and conservation."

Fully Protected

Whale sharks are the largest fish on the planet and, while their huge size and gaping-mouthed appearance can be terrifying, these docile plankton feeders pose no threat to man and are fully protected under various international wildlife laws and conventions.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kenya-whale-shark.html

Dolphin disgrace – 101 taken into captivity and 27 killed

Huge pod of Bottlenose dolphins virtually destroyed

December 2012. Every year, between September and March, local fishermen drive pods of dolphins and whales into a small cove in south-east Japan. Many are killed for food, many are taken into captivity to be trained to perform in shows, and just a very few are released, usually those too old or young to be included in the above.

At the beginning of December 2012, a huge pod of some 200 Bottlenose dolphins was driven into the cove and penned in by nets. After 6 days in captivity in the cove, 101 dolphins had taken into captivity, 25 killed for human consumption and at least 2 babies had died.

The dolphins that are taken into captivity are taken to a local captive facility, where they are usually trained before being sold all around the world.

Latest update - Apparently the boats have left harbour again, to drive another pod of dolphins into the cove.

For more updates, and the full story, go to the Cove Guardians website or the Sea Shepherd Facebook page

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/dolphin-taiji.html

Dolphin dies on plane to Singapore

WORLD'S SADDEST DOLPHINS

The “Save the World’s Saddest Dolphins” campaign (www.saddestdolphins.com) was launched in May 2011. Over 680,000 individuals have joined ACRES in urging RWS to please let the dolphins go. The campaign is in partnership with Earth Island Institute. 

Wild caught dolphins shipped to Singapore resort

December 2012. Wen Wen, one of 27 wild-caught dolphins purchased by Singapore's Resort World Sentosa (RWS), died on the plane that was taking the remaining (2 died in captivity in the Philippines) to Singapore for a new attraction at RWS. The 27 dolphins were caught from the wild in the Solomon Islands.

Singapore charity ACRES campaigned for the dolphins to be returned to the wild. 27 wild Indo-Pacific dolphins were caught in the waters of the Solomon Islands in 2009, and were shipped to Ocean Adventure Marine Park in the Philippines. The Philippines was never their intended final destination though, more a ‘holding pen' whilst the vast Resorts World Sentosa was being built in Singapore. The dolphins were and are held in the Philippines until the Marine Life Park, part of Sentosa, was ready, and so they could be ‘trained' before reaching the resort.

ACRES launched the next phase of the campaign to urge Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to let the dolphins go at an event in Singapore. Members of the public held candlelight vigils and memorial services for Wen Wen in Singapore, Indonesia (Jakarta), The Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Bangkok).

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/dolphin-plane.html

Leatherback turtle caught as bycatch dies in captivity

While medical volunteers examine her wounds, bone can be seen protruding out of the Leatherback's flipper injury.

November 2012. Chinese fishermen have reported the death of a Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) on Hainan Island, China. The turtle was caught as by-catch by a fishing vessel on November 24 and held in a concrete saltwater pool.

Leatherback turtles are adapted to the open ocean, so when confined they swim continuously against tank walls since, as they are pelagic turtles used to swimming constantly in the open ocean, they do not recognize physical barriers. Contact with the rough surface of the tank caused tissue abrasions, bone exposure, and infection on the Leatherback's nose, flippers, and ridges along the back of its shell.

Beyond help
When the turtle's finger bones protruded from its skin and began falling out, the fisherman housing the turtle reportedly searched online for information on how to care for Leatherbacks in captivity. After failed attempts at restoring its health, the fisherman contacted Sea Turtles 911, the American based sea turtle conservation organization that operates in China. Medical volunteers experienced in sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation immediately arrived on the scene to help, but upon examination of the Leatherback her condition was terminal.

Sea Turtles 911 Founding Director Frederick Yeh describes, "She was very weak, very far gone. Despite the emergency treatments we performed, there was little we could do at that point to save her. Leatherbacks are particularly vulnerable to injury in captivity, and the fisherman contacted us much too late. The waste of such a precious life is heartbreaking."

Read on:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/china-leatherback.html

Tortoise Welfare UK - via Herp Digest

In association with Norfolk Tortoise Club - Welfare Conference------Tortoise Matters -Improving standards for captive chelonian in the UK

Kindly supported by Colchester Zoo

Saturday, 17th November 

10.00am till 4.30pm (6 CPD hours)

Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Stanway, Colchester CO30SL

Stuart McArthur B Vet Med MRCVS

Stuart McArthur is one of the UK’s leading authorities on chelonian medicine and author of a number of veterinary books and journals. Stuart will be talking about the medical treatment of tortoises and turtles, illustrating his talk with case studies drawn from his veterinary experience.

Eleanor Tirtasana & Dillon Prest: Eleanor and Dillon organise and run Norfolk Tortoise Club, which has a thriving membership, and are active in working for, and promoting better care of captive tortoises in the UK. They will be introducing Tortoise Welfare UK, and discussing how the living standards of tortoises and turtles can be improved.

Frances Baines MA VetMB MRCVS: Frances is a retired vet and specialist in UVB Light. Frances will be talking about her research into the   specific UV light needs of different exotic reptile species. 

Henk Zwartepoorte:  Henk is the curator of reptiles and amphibians at Rotterdam Zoo and is well known for his work with the Turtle Survival Alliance Europe (TSA Europe) and European Studbook Foundation. Henk will be talking about the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in reptiles,  which could be achieved by developing  a partnership between zoos and private enthusiasts, thus allowing  healthy breeding colonies to be established. 

Jane Williams MA BSc MSc: Jane organises and runs Tortoise South East and has been involved in chelonian welfare for over 30 years. Jane will be talking about her experiences in dealing with tortoises and the results of her research into keeping tortoises in Britain.

PC Andrew Long: Andrew is a local Wildlife crime officer, (Zoo Liaison) and has a keen interest in reptiles.  Andrew will be giving a presentation on exotic animal crime. 

£35 per person

Pre-book only inclusive of refreshments and lunch

For more details or to reserve your place please email:

tortoisewelfareuk@gmail.com  or telephone: 01692 402687

Fury as Dutch court prevents young orca's return to the wild

Morgan to be moved to Canary Islands zoo

November 2011: A court in the Netherlands has decided that a rescued young female orca being held at a Dutch dolphinarium is to remain in captivity.

Morgan, who was rescued from the Wadden Sea in June last year, has been kept at Harderwijk dolphinarium but will now be transferred to the LoroParque zoo in the Canary Islands.

WDCS (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society) says it is disheartened by the decision, which flies in the face of expert advice, who agreed the orca was a potential candidate for release.

Any hope of release has now goneFears now grow for Morgan's health and welfare as she will be introduced into a new captive environment, to orcas who are strangers to her, and to the circus-style shows at LoroParque.

WDCS is a member of the Free Morgan Group which has developed a multi-stage release plan for Morgan in the hope of providing her with the opportunity to return to the wild rather than remain in captivity.

Sadly, it looks as though that hope is now gone. In captivity, orcas suffer a significantly reduced survival rate, low breeding success and stress, which can lead to aggression between themselves and towards trainers, illness and even death.

Orca live less than 9 years in captivity – in the wild it's nearer 50A Free Morgan Group spokesperson said: ‘Despite overwhelming evidence provided by world renowned orca researchers, the best interests of Morgan have not been met. It has been designated that she will be sent to a life of permanent captivity in a barren concrete tank. Realistically this is nothing short of a death sentence for Morgan, as orca in captivity only live an average of 8.5 years, compared to more than 50 years in the wild.

‘It is disgraceful that a country such as the Netherlands, known around the world for their humanitarian and animal welfare compassion, should have allowed this to happen. Clearly, ulterior motivations such as money and entertainment have presided over the welfare interests of Morgan.'

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/morgan-captivity.html#cr