Aplicação de técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental para a promoção de bem-estar animal para exemplar cativo de Puma concolor (Carnivora, Felidae)

Abstract

Nowadays the zoos play the role of conservation centers, research and environmental education, having as one of the main concerns the animal welfare. Ensure the well-being of animals in captivity is complex and challenging since each species has biological and behavioral individualities. To maintain a higher quality environment for these animals environmental enrichment techniques are applied. This work aimed to apply environmental enrichment techniques to an individual puma (Puma concolor) from the Uberlândia Municipal Zoo, evaluating the behavioral response of this animal faced with new stimuli, relating the activities carried out by this animal according to the times of the day. For that, were performed the behavioral observations divided into four stages, being them: I) Behavior qualification stage, II) pre-enrichment stage, III) Environmental enrichment stage, IV) post environmental enrichment stage. The environmental enrichments applied were: Stuffed pumpkin, Blood popsicle, Trail of scents, Corn seeding, Fish in the water fountain, Flying bait, Hay ball and Trunk with catnip. The individual presented 32 behavioral acts grouped into nine categories. The individual was less time without moving, had less interaction with the surroundings and showed less stereotypical behaviors during the application of environmental enrichments. At this same stage, stayed longer foraging and presented more “other” type behaviors. As for the individual's behavioral budget, during all quantitative stages, the animal presented the categories “locomotion” and “interaction” more frequently. The enrichments that had the lowest index of stereotypical behavior as well as a higher interaction rate were “Flying bait”, “Stuffed pumpkin” and “Corn seeding”. Finally the analysis of the daily temporal pattern of activities, revealed that the individual has its activity peak early in the morning and late in the afternoon and rest during the afternoon. These results demonstrate the importance of environmental enrichment strategies and understanding of natural patterns of activity promoting the physical and mental health of the individual.