Big Cat

Seyrling, I., Clauss, M., Dierkes, P. W. et al. 2024. Breaking the spell: Changes in the behavior of two zoo-kept tigers (Panthera tigris) after exposure to a distinct feast-and-fast feeding regime. Zoo Biology 43(4), 340–353.

The behavior of zoo carnivores has received intense attention due to their propensity for locomotor stereotypies. We observed two adult male tiger (Panthera tigris) siblings kept together for the duration of 104 days by round-the-clock...

Meulendijks, R., Weimar, M. M., Kappelhof, J. et al. 2024. Case study: Visual barriers reduce pacing in captive tigers. Zoo Biology 43(2), 199–204.

Captive large felines are prone to abnormal repetitive behaviors like pacing, which are associated with welfare issues. Visual contact without the opportunity to engage in appropriate behavior is known to increase pacing. To better understand...

Wilson, A., Phillips, C. J. 2023. Behaviour and welfare of African lion (Panthera leo) cubs used in contact wildlife tourism. Animal Welfare 32, e34.

Lion (Panthera leo) cubs are used in wildlife interaction tourism but the effects on cub welfare are unknown. We assessed the behaviour of three cohorts of lion cubs, twelve animals in total, at three different...

Kleinlugtenbelt, C., Clauss, M., Burkevica, A. et al. 2023. Fasted and furious? Considerations on the use of fasting days in large carnivore husbandry. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 11(3), 318–323.

Many large mammalian terrestrial carnivores do not hunt every day in their natural habitats, because given the right prey, they can gorge-feed more than their daily energy and nutrient requirements. At the same time, there...

Bandeli, M., Mellor, E. L., Kroshko, J. et al. 2023. The welfare problems of wide-ranging Carnivora reflect naturally itinerant lifestyles. Royal Society Open Science 10, 230437.

Carnivora with naturally small home ranges readily adjust tothe evolutionarily new environment of captivity, but wider-ranging species seem prone to stress. Understanding why wouldadvance both collection planning and enclosure design. Wetherefore investigated which aspects of...

Ward, S. J., Hosey, G., Williams, E. et al. 2024. Enrichment and animal age, not biological variables, predict positive welfare indicators in zoo-housed carnivores. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 270, 106006.

The development of evidence-based zoo animal welfare science and the use of the “five domains” have inspired zoos to increase animal welfare, particularly recognising positive welfare states. We tested whether natural biology (number of habitats...

Smith, K. D., Snider, R. J., Dembiec, D. P. et al. 2023. Effects of a modern exhibit design on captive tiger welfare. Zoo Biology 42(3), 371–382.

Offering captive animals larger, more complex spaces are thought to benefit their welfare. To this end, some zoos use trail systems linked to several enclosures. Since little is known about the effects of such designs...

Radical, A., Normando, S., Ponzio, P. et al. 2023. The effects of the addition of two environmental enrichments on the behavior and fecal cortisol levels of three small felids species (Caracal caracal, Leptailurus serval

Scientific evidences support the fact that environmental enrichment, when effective, can affect the behavior of animals in captivity in a way suggestive of an improvement in their quality of life. In the internationally published literature...

Marzio, A. D., Birbele, E., Šķērstiņa, R. 2023. Wanted dead or alive: Ethics and animal welfare in food choice. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 11(4), 351–355.

The use of live food in zoological collections is a constant source of debate, with multiple approaches to discussions of implementation. The debate can be divided between those ‘internal’ (professionals within captive care) and ‘external’...

Kleinlugtenbelt, C., Clauss, M., Burkevica, A. et al. 2023. Fasted and furious? Considerations on the use of fasting days in large carnivore husbandry. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 11(3), 318–323.

Many large mammalian terrestrial carnivores do not hunt every day in their natural habitats, because given the right prey, they can gorge-feed more than their daily energy and nutrient requirements. At the same time, there...

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