Assessing saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) pair-bonds and breeding behavior using behavior observed during multiple breeding seasons.

Despite the fact that saddle-billed storks (SBS) are housed in zoos around the world, few successful hatches have been recorded. At Disney's Animal Kingdom® we conducted observations on two pairs of SBS during multiple reproductive periods to assess the relative strength of their pair-bonds and their reproductive success. We accomplished this through observations of rates of social behaviors, such as wing displays and aggression, rates of nest construction, time on and near the nest, and egg production.

Chemical and surgical interventions to alleviate intraspecific aggression in male collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris).

To reduce male-male aggression in collared lemurs (Eulemur collaris) at Disney's Animal Kingdom, a clinical trial of leuprolide acetate (Depo-Lupron) injections through one breeding season (24 wk), followed by surgical castration after the breeding season was implemented. Daily behavioral observations to record occurrences of aggression were conducted before and during the injection period, as well as after castration. Fecal sample collection began 2 wk before the first injection and continued throughout the clinical trial to determine testosterone metabolite concentration.