Behavior problems of equids in zoos.

The research paper deals with the behavior issues observed in equids (such as horses, donkeys and zebras) in zoo environments, arguing that these issues often arise from disregarding the inherent nature and needs of these animals like social companionship, regular grazing, natural reproductive behaviors, etc. The researchers also provide some solutions to these problems.

Zoological Environment and Lack of Social Companionship

• One of the highlighted problems is that in zoos, equids are often kept in solitary confinement or without sufficient companionship. Equids are naturally gregarious and social animals, and need to be in groups or herds.
• Studies have shown that the absence of companionship often leads these animals to develop negative behaviors like pacing (walking back and forth in the same path repetitively due to stress or boredom).

Feeding Practices and Their Impact

• The researchers also discuss the issues resulting from the improper feeding practices in zoos. In the wild, equids spend most of their time grazing—up to 60-70% of their day.
• However, zoos often fail to provide free access to roughage (fibrous, indigestible material that forms the bulk of the diet in grazing animals), which contributes to the development of destructive behaviors such as pacing, wood chewing, cribbing (a compulsive behavior where the animal grips a solid object with its teeth, arches its neck, and swallows air), and coprophagia (consumption of feces).

Ignoring Natural Dispersal and Reproductive Behaviors

• The study also points out that zoos often neglect to simulate the natural processes of juvenile dispersal, bachelor-herd formation (groups of unpaired males), and mate acquisition, leading to the increase of aggressive and reproductive behavior problems.
• It also suggests that infanticide (killing of young offspring within their species) can be prevented by introducing new stallions to herds that include only non-pregnant mares and older foals. This method avoids potential conflict between the stallion and the offspring from previous males.