Studying Captive Animals

Studying Captive Animals outlines the methods that may be
used to study the behaviour, welfare and ecology of animals living
under the control of humans, including companion animals, feral
populations, and those living on farms and in zoos.

This book is a step-by-step guide to the whole process of
conducting a scientific study: from designing the original project,
formulating testable hypotheses, and collecting and analysing the
data, to drawing conclusions from the work and writing it up as a
scientific report or paper. It also illustrates how to write a
formal research proposal - a crucial and often difficult element of
the student project - and how to deal with the ethical review
process.

Sample data collection sheets are provided and the analysis and
presentation of data are worked through in diagrammatic form. In
addition, exercises are included that enable the reader to
practice analysing different types of data and advice is
provided on the selection of appropriate statistical tests. The
text describes the different types of student projects that may be
undertaken in the field, and explains where secondary data may be
found for zoos.

This is an insightful resource, particularly for those studying
and working with zoo and farm animals. It is essential reading for
students studying zoo biology and animal management; it is also
suitable for students on courses in animal behaviour, animal
welfare, zoology, biology, psychology, animal science, animal
production, animal ecology, conservation biology, and veterinary
science. This book is primarily intended for undergraduates but
will also be of value to postgraduate students who have not
previously engaged in field studies. Professionals working in
institutions that are members of the World Association of Zoos and
Aquariums, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and other
regional and national zoo organisations will benefit from access to
this practical guide.

Autorentext
Dr Paul A. Rees is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Salford where he teaches zoo biology and wildlife law. He previously taught a wide range of subjects including biology, psychology and environmental science in a number of colleges in the UK and was formerly Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the Sokoto College of Education, Nigeria. Dr Rees conducted research on feral cats for his PhD, funded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and has a long standing interest in large mammals, especially the ecology, behaviour and conservation of elephants. He once worked as an elephant keeper.

Klappentext

Studying Captive Animals outlines the methods that may be used to study the behaviour, welfare and ecology of animals living under the control of humans, including companion animals, feral populations, and those living on farms and in zoos.

This book is a step-by-step guide to the whole process of conducting a scientific study: from designing the original project, formulating testable hypotheses, and collecting and analysing the data, to drawing conclusions from the work and writing it up as a scientific report or paper. It also illustrates how to write a formal research proposal - a crucial and often difficult element of the student project - and how to deal with the ethical review process.

Sample data collection sheets are provided and the analysis and presentation of data are worked through in diagrammatic form. In addition, exercises are included that enable the reader to practice analysing different types of data and advice is provided on the selection of appropriate statistical tests. The text describes the different types of student projects that may be undertaken in the field, and explains where secondary data may be found for zoos.

This is an insightful resource, particularly for those studying and working with zoo and farm animals. It is essential reading for students studying zoo biology and animal management; it is also suitable for students on courses in animal behaviour, animal welfare, zoology, biology, psychology, animal science, animal production, animal ecology, conservation biology, and veterinary science. This book is primarily intended for undergraduates but will also be of value to postgraduate students who have not previously engaged in field studies. Professionals working in institutions that are members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and other regional and national zoo organisations will benefit from access to this practical guide.

Inhalt

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xiii

About the Companion Website xv

Part 1 Introduction 1

1. Studies of Behaviour, Welfare and Ecology in Captive Animals 3

1.1 What Are Captive Animals? 4

1.1.1 Introduction 4

1.1.2 A Short and Incomplete History of Captive Animal Studies 4

1.2 Types of Studies 8

1.2.1 Behaviour Studies 8

1.2.2 Animal Welfare Studies 10

1.2.3 Ecological Studies 10

1.3 Possible Study Locations 11

1.4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying Captive Animals 11

1.5 What Types of Research Have Been Conducted on Animals Living in Zoos? 13

1.6 What Sort of Study Should I Undertake? 16

2. Designing Your Study 19

2.1 Introduction 20

2.2 Selecting Subjects for Study 20

2.2.1 Selecting a Species 20

2.2.2 Simple vs Complex Zoo Environments: Choosing the Right Enclosure 20

2.2.3 Specialised Zoo Facilities for Studying Animals 25

2.3 How Does Science Work? 25

2.4 Experimental Design 29

2.4.1 Introduction 29

2.4.2 Controlling Subject Variables 30

2.4.3 Controlling Situational Variables 32

2.4.4 Confounding Variables 32

2.4.5 The Link Between Experimental Design and Statistics 32

2.4.6 Cross?]Sectional and Longitudinal Studies 32

2.5 Data Collection 33

2.5.1 Who Should Collect the Data? 33

2.5.2 Sampling 34

2.5.3 Replication: How Many Subjects Should be Studied? 35

2.5.4 Pseudoreplication 35

2.5.5 Accuracy and Reliability of Data 35

2.5.6 Inter?]Observer Reliability 36

2.5.7 Observer Drift 37

2.5.8 Can Untrained Observers be Used to Collect Behavioural Data? 38

2.5.9 Collecting Data Using Questionnaires 39

2.6 Keeper/Trainer Assessments of Animals 42

2.7 Pilot Studies 42

2.8 Making Observations 43

2.8.1 What to Wear and How to Behave 43

2.8.2 Vantage Points, Camouflage and Screening 43

2.9 Submitting a Research Proposal 45

2.9.1 Introduction 45

2.9.2 Zoo Research Departments 47

2.9.3 Ownership of Research Data 47

2.10 Some Problems Associated with Working in Zoos 47

2.10.1 Working in the Zoo Environment 47

2.10.2 Interspecies Interactions and Mixed Species Exhibits 54

2.11 Legislation 55

2.11.1 Ethical and Legal Considerations 55

2.11.2 Does Your Study Need a Licence? 57

2.12 Risk Assessment and Health and Safety Considerations 58

2.12.1 Insurance 59

2.12.2 Hazardous Animal Categorisation 59

3. Equipment 63

3.1 Introduction 64

3.2 Binoculars 64

3.2.1 Choosing Binoculars 64

3.2.2 The Dioptre Adjustment 66

3.3 Voice Recorders 67

3.4 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) 68

3.5 Still Cameras 68

3.5.1 Camera Traps 68

3.6 Digital Video Cameras 70

3.7 Event Recorders 70

3.8 Trail Monitors 71

3.9 Accelerometers 71

3.10 GPS and GIS 71

3.11 Radio Collars 73

3.12 Data-Loggers 73

3.13 Proximity Data?]Loggers 73

3.14 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology 74

3.15 Too Much Equipment? 74

Part 2 Measuring Animal Behaviour and Welfare 75

4. Identifying Individuals and Recording Behaviours 77

4.1 Identifying and Naming Individual Animals 78

4.1.1 Identification 78

4.1.2 Naming Individuals 82

4.2 Describing and Interpreting Behavio…