THE STUDY OF PRIMATES BEHAVIOUR IN A ZOO IN TARGU-MURES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the normal and pathological behavior of captive primates in a zoo in Tirgu-Mures. The biological material consisted of 59 monkeys belonging to 11 species. The ethological research involved the following instruments: observation, experimentation, ethogram, spectrum analyzer, video, respectively the causal analysis. The obtained results revealed that the captive monkeys sheltered in isolated cages, with a similar development to what is found in their natural environment and placed at a tolerable distance away from visitors’ activity show no behavioral changes. On the other hand, in the case of those primates sheltered in cages which are exposed to visitors’ noise, we observed the presence of oral and motor stereotypies but also an attitude of lethargic disappointment and preoccupation. The collected data allow to define the investigated primates’ needs and also to get an idea of their welfare in zoo in Tirgu-Mures