EFFECT OF WOOD-PILE FEEDERS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CAPTIVE BUSH DOGS (SPEOTHOS-VENATICUS)

The influence of an environmental enrichment programme on the searchin g behaviour of separate groups of male and female bush dogs at Edinbur gh Zoo was evaluated. The enrichment programme involved hiding food in specially constructed wood-piles and other appropriate places in the bush dogs' enclosures. Behavioural data were recorded morning and afte rnoon for 20 consecutive experimental days and were compared to pre- a nd post-enrichment programme data, representing basal conditions. Data were collected over a 10-day period for both pre and post enrichment phases. Activities were recorded under seven behavioural categories. T here was no significant difference between sexes in the proportion of time spent performing searching behaviour so data were pooled. The enr ichment programme appeared to cause an increase (P<0.01) in searching behaviour fro om initial basal conditions of 2.7 per cent to 6.1 per c ent of total recorded data points. There was a subsequent decrease in searching behaviour (P<0.01) to 2.5 per cent when basal conditions wer e reinstated. All dogs showed increases in searching behaviour when en richment and basal data were compared. The effectiveness of the enrich ment programme in terms of increasing the proportion of rime spent in searching behaviour showed a significant decline (P<0.005) over time, probably relating to the dogs increasing proficiency at finding food. It is suggested that the enhanced levels of searching behaviour repres ent an improvement in welfare.