The potential for microchip-automated technology to improve enrichment practices.
The greatest limitation involved with providing enrichment and evaluating its effects on captive mammals is a lack of available staff time [Hoy et al., 2009]. One method to overcome this is through the use of automated husbandry systems to dispense enrichment to individual animals by using implantable radio frequency microchips. An international multi-institutional survey was conducted to determine whether the personnel involved with management, research, and husbandry of captive mammals would support the development of such automated husbandry systems. The survey was also designed to establish which applications of the system would be considered to be most beneficial. Overall, there was a very high level of interest by survey respondents in adopting automated husbandry systems and all potential applications were considered beneficial to varying degrees. These results, together with the relatively low cost of installation and operation, demonstrate that in the future automated enrichment could be an important and effective means of enhancing captive animal management.
Hoy
Julia M
JM
School of Animal Studies, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Queensland, Australia. j.hoy@uq.edu.au
Murray
Peter J
PJ
Tribe
Andrew
A
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001831:Body Temperature; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D057233:Radio Frequency Identification Device / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires