Don't rock the tank: effects of zoo visitors on the behaviour of potbelly seahorses (H. abdominalis) at Melbourne Zoo

Research output: ThesisMaster (Coursework) Thesis

Abstract

It is essential that modern zoos not only prevent negative welfare but also promote the highest standards of animal welfare in order to retain social license to operate. Understanding the effects of zoo visitors on animal welfare is now an important focus of the modern zoo, as visitor observation and/or interaction is an inevitable aspect any given zoo animal’s life. Fish represent a knowledge gap in the current understanding of zoo animal welfare, and recent research in fish sentience promotes a high priority to fill this gap. Behaviours of 20 potbelly seahorses (H. abdominalis) housed in theSeagrass Meadows tank at Melbourne Zoo were recorded for 15 days over 6 weeks between the 25th of February 2019 - 5th of April 2019 under two conditions designed to prevent visitor contact with the tank to varying degrees. No condition effects on seahorse behaviour were observed, however number of visitors passing the tank significantly predicted behaviours potentially indicative of avoidance and stress. The outcomes of this study suggest that zoo visitors do affect seahorse behaviour in a way that may indicate a negative welfare impact, and that preventing visitors from touching the tank walls is not adequate in mediating these effects.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationMaster of Science
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Melbourne
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Hemsworth, Paul H., Supervisor, External person
  • Sherwen, Sally L., Supervisor, External person
Award date27 Jul 2019
Publication statusUnpublished - 27 Jul 2019
Externally publishedYes

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