GPS assessment of the use of exhibit space and resources by African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

摘要: In public discussions of animal rights and welfare, we as members proponents zoological institutions often face significant challenges addressing the concerns our detractors due to an unfortunate deficiency in systematically collected published data on animals collections. case elephants, there has been a paucity information describing their use space within captive environments. Here, using collar-mounted GPS recording devices, documented exhibit resources by herd five adult female African elephants (Loxodonta africana) housed at Disney's Animal Kingdom®. We found that dominant used greater percentage available subordinate females avoided narrow or enclosed regions enclosure termed “restricted flow areas.” other resources, demonstrated increased occupation watering hole over females, but all relatively equivalent mud wallow. Overall, results provide preliminary evidence position dominancy hierarchy impacts occupied setting may contribute resource accessibility. These findings can be applied future decisions design distribution for this species. Zoo Biol 29:210–220, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.