Behavioral Effects of Food-Based and Olfactory Enrichment in Zoo-Housed Binturongs: An Exploratory Study

• الحاوية / القاعدة: Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens
• المؤلفون الرئيسيون: Courtney Archer, Joselyn Hoyt, Emma Loy, Emma Marthaler, Abigail Richardson, Katie Hall, Madison Bacon, Rielle Perttu
• التنسيق: مقال
• اللغة: الإنجليزية
• منشور في: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
• الموضوعات: animal husbandry; binturong behavior; enrichment; foraging behavior; olfactory enrichment; zoo animal welfare
• الوصول للمادة أونلاين: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/6/3/38

Environmental enrichment is essential for promoting species-specific behaviors and enhancing the welfare of zoo-housed animals. This study examined the behavioral responses of two juvenile male binturongs (<i>Arctictis binturong</i>) at the Minnesota Zoo to three enrichment stimuli: lavender oil (olfactory), thawed fish (olfactory and dietary), and hard-boiled egg (olfactory and dietary). Their behaviors were recorded using scan sampling before and after enrichment exposure, focusing on locomotion, foraging, resting, and visitor visibility. Food-based enrichments, particularly the hard-boiled egg, significantly increased foraging behavior, while lavender oil and thawed fish produced minimal behavioral changes. Locomotion and visibility remained stable across the conditions, although a slight increase in resting was observed with lavender oil. No evidence of scent-marking disruption was noted, and individual differences appeared to influence inactivity levels. These findings highlight the potential of biologically relevant, food-based enrichment to stimulate natural behaviors in binturongs and emphasize the importance of species-specific enrichment strategies. Future research should explore a broader range of olfactory cues, assess long-term behavioral responses, and incorporate physiological measures to further evaluate enrichment impacts on binturong welfare.