Mudando de casa: efeito de realocação de recinto e composição social no padrão comportamental de Macacos-Prego (Sapajus libidinosus)

Abstract

Events of relocation to a new enclosure as well as the entry of new individuals into the group directly affect the welfare of captive animals. In this study, we investigated the effects of the change of enclosure and group composition on the behavioral pattern of 15 captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus libidinosus). We tested the hypotheses that there would be behavioral changes, and we predicted that behaviors indicative of stress would decrease after moving to a more enriched environment, at the same we predicted an increase in social behaviors due to the increase and change of the group's composition. In addition, no changes were expected in the sexes. Observations were made during the months of August to November of 2016, and were divided into three phases; 1) in the Natal’s Aquarium; 2) conducted in CETAS-IBAMA RN, an enriched environment 3) also conducted in CETAS-IBAMA RN but with all the enclosures were connected to allow all individuals to interact with each other. In total, the animals were observed for 61 hours and 41 minutes. Our results partially corroborate our hypotheses, indicating significant differences for each phase and for sex variable. Our data show that, despite the acute stress of transportation, the increase of physical enrichment in the new environment decreased the expression of stereotypies. Females showed decrease in food intake between phases while males had an increase. The variable interaction with the environment showed a decrease in both sexes, with females being more manipulative than males in all phases. Vocalization also decreased. The tolerant pattern of social organization of the species may explain the increase of affiliative (rather than agonistic) social behaviors during the formation of new groups. The data indicate that females suffer more with the relocation effect. These results reinforce the importance of ethological studies as a tool for monitoring animal welfare and the importance of physical and social enrichment for animals.