Behavioural Repertoires and Time Budgets of Semi-Free-Ranging and Captive Groups of Wedge-Capped Capuchin Monkeys, Cebus olivaceus, in Zoo Exhibits in Venezuela

What is it about?

The behavioural repertoire and time budgets of two captive and one semi-free ranging group of Cebus olivaceus were determined with the aim to assess the impact of the zoo environment on behaviour..The repertoires were qualitatively similar among groups as well as to those which have been reported for wild troops, but the captive groups showed self-directed and stereotyped behaviours not reported in the wild, although infrequently. The differences in repertoires across groups were qualitatively associated with the opportunity to interact directly with the visitors, with particularities of the enclosure, and with the severity of confinement. Overall, females spent more time foraging than males in the captive groups, and adults rested and watched (vigilance) more than subadults in all the groups. Time budgets were dominated by foraging (searching and eating), resting, movement and affiliative interactions, although their relative importance varied statistically among groups, being foraging especially prominent in the most confined group. The time budgets also varied qualitative from those reported for wild troops. The differences (wild-semifree-captive) are suggestive of mild stress or social tension probably due to unstimulating environmental conditions, high visitors’ pressure and deviations from typical group composition. We conclude that the species is able to adjust to different conditions, since most of the behaviours described in natural conditions were observed here, but we also raise the caution that descriptions of general behaviour are not sufficient to address the behavioural flexibility of a species and that quantitative analysis must also be performed to better understand the effect of the zoo environment.

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Why is it important?

This is the most complete description of the behaviour of Cebus olivaceus in captivity so far. It completes detailed descriptions performed in the wild.

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