Publications by authors named "Emily Elwell"
The Alaotran gentle lemur (Hapalemur Alaotrensis) is one of the most endangered primates in the world and shows a low success rate in captive breeding programmes. We tested a novel scent enrichment, made up of a synthesized mixture likely conveying information about female fertility, on four unsuccessful breeding pairs (n = 8 subjects) living at the Jersey, Birmingham, London (United Kingdom) and Mulhouse (France) zoos. We evaluated the effects of the scent enrichment on behavior (515 h of observation) and fecal endocrinology (cortisol and testosterone measurements) (n = 180 samples) comparing pre- enrichment, enrichment and post- enrichment phases.
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- - The study aimed to improve breeding success of critically endangered lemur species in zoos by developing novel scent enrichments that mimic natural olfactory cues during their breeding season.
- - Researchers analyzed female lemur odors and created specific scent mixtures designed to trigger mating behaviors in male lemurs, testing these mixtures on unsuccessful breeding pairs in European zoos.
- - Results indicated that the scent enrichments successfully stimulated male sexual behaviors and increased faecal testosterone levels, suggesting that such enrichments could enhance conservation efforts for these endangered species.
Article Synopsis
- - Zoos contribute to conservation efforts both in situ (in the natural habitat) and ex situ (in controlled environments) by offering breeding programs and reintroduction strategies to combat species extinction.
- - Environmental mismatches between wild habitats and zoo settings can lead to health issues in animals, affecting their well-being and reproductive success.
- - Despite the benefits of scent-based enrichment for improving animal welfare, it remains underutilized in zoos, especially for non-human primates, even though research indicates that olfactory stimulation is more important for these species than previously thought.
Primates are traditionally considered to have a poor sense of smell. However, olfaction is important for non-human primates as demonstrated by conspicuous scent-marking behaviours in lemurs. We studied two pairs ( 4) of crowned lemurs () housed at Colchester and Twycross zoos (UK) by combining behavioural observations and chemical analyses of scent-marks and glandular swabs.
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- * Zoos can function as urban green spaces, providing a habitat with abundant resources for free-living native species, particularly small mammals.
- * A study at Dudley Zoological Gardens revealed that habitats resembling semi-natural woodlands had the greatest diversity of small mammals, while proximity to predatory species affected capture rates, highlighting the unique ecological role of zoos.