Behavioral Response to a Novel “X” Shape Target Stimuli in a Harbor Seal

The objective of this study was to provide an environmental enrichment device (shape target) to determine if it improved the Harbor Seal’s visibility in the underwater viewing windows when housed at the Blank Park Zoo. One male harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) 3-years of age weighing 39 kg was used. Testing occurred Saturday through Tuesday over 6 consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1330 h. Live observations were collected continuously by one observer. Latency, frequency, and duration were measured. All data is presented descriptively. During baseline the Seal had no interest in the window. Upon presenting the “X” target, he approached quickly and interacted well. However by week 5, the seal’s interest to approach took longer but once the seal targeted he spent more time interacting with the device. Within the context of this study, the use of novel target enrichment for the seal showed promise in causing the seal to be more active towards the target and he was more visible in the underwater viewing windows

Barrow and Gilt Vocalizations during a Human Approach Test

The objective of this study was to investigate differences between barrow and gilt vocalizations during a fear test. Twenty barrows and 20 gilts were tested over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours using a human approach test (HAT). Throughout the test, vocalizations were recorded. Gilts expressed a greater number of low calls compared to barrows; however, barrows expressed a greater number of high calls compared to gilts. Further research should be done to better understand vocalization differences between barrows and gilts during a HAT

Association of Vocalizations and Swine Behavior during a Human Approach Test

The objective of this study was to determine if the duration and total number of pig vocalizations when divided into low and high call categories was related to pig behaviors during a fear test. Twenty barrows and 20 gilts were tested over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours using a human approach test (HAT). Throughout the test, vocalizations and behavior were recorded. These results suggest that while high calls are typically the primary measure of stress vocalizations, low calls are also meaningful measures during the stressor of HAT

Approachability to a Human in Gilts Divergently Selected for Feed Efficiency

The objective of this study was to evaluate approachability of gilts divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) to a novel human. Twenty low-RFI and 19 high-RFI gilts were tested using a human approach test. Testing occurred over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours. Gilts were tested individually within a 4.9 x 2.4 m test arena. Throughout the test, latency to first enter, duration of time spent, and frequency of entrances within 1 m and 0.5 m of the human were recorded. These results suggest that divergent selection for RFI did not alter gilt approach behavior to a novel human

Behavioral Response to a Novel “X” Shape Target Stimuli in a Harbor Seal

The objective of this study was to provide an environmental enrichment device (shape target) to determine if it improved the Harbor Seal’s visibility in the underwater viewing windows when housed at the Blank Park Zoo. One male harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) 3-years of age weighing 39 kg was used. Testing occurred Saturday through Tuesday over 6 consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1330 h. Live observations were collected continuously by one observer. Latency, frequency, and duration were measured. All data is presented descriptively. During baseline the Seal had no interest in the window. Upon presenting the “X” target, he approached quickly and interacted well. However by week 5, the seal’s interest to approach took longer but once the seal targeted he spent more time interacting with the device. Within the context of this study, the use of novel target enrichment for the seal showed promise in causing the seal to be more active towards the target and he was more visible in the underwater viewing windows.</p

Association of Vocalizations and Swine Behavior during a Human Approach Test

The objective of this study was to determine if the duration and total number of pig vocalizations when divided into low and high call categories was related to pig behaviors during a fear test. Twenty barrows and 20 gilts were tested over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours using a human approach test (HAT). Throughout the test, vocalizations and behavior were recorded. These results suggest that while high calls are typically the primary measure of stress vocalizations, low calls are also meaningful measures during the stressor of HAT.</p

Barrow and Gilt Vocalizations during a Human Approach Test

The objective of this study was to investigate differences between barrow and gilt vocalizations during a fear test. Twenty barrows and 20 gilts were tested over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours using a human approach test (HAT). Throughout the test, vocalizations were recorded. Gilts expressed a greater number of low calls compared to barrows; however, barrows expressed a greater number of high calls compared to gilts. Further research should be done to better understand vocalization differences between barrows and gilts during a HAT.</p

Approachability to a Human in Gilts Divergently Selected for Feed Efficiency

The objective of this study was to evaluate approachability of gilts divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI) to a novel human. Twenty low-RFI and 19 high-RFI gilts were tested using a human approach test. Testing occurred over two consecutive weeks between 1300 and 1900 hours. Gilts were tested individually within a 4.9 x 2.4 m test arena. Throughout the test, latency to first enter, duration of time spent, and frequency of entrances within 1 m and 0.5 m of the human were recorded. These results suggest that divergent selection for RFI did not alter gilt approach behavior to a novel human.</p