One sentence summary – Giant pandas living in zoos outside their natural habitat may experience disturbances in their bodies and behavior similar to those experienced by humans with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in winter, according to researchers from the University of Stirling who conducted a 12-month study at six different zoos; the study reveals that when giant pandas are housed north or south of their natural range, their body clocks can become out of sync, resulting in suboptimal welfare for the pandas, as their circadian rhythms are affected by environmental cues like light having different cycles in these locations, leading to lower activity levels and potential displays of abnormal and repetitive behaviors, indicating frustration due to the inability to migrate or mate as they would in their natural habitat.
At a glance
- Giant pandas living in zoos outside their natural habitat may experience disturbances in their bodies and behavior.
- These disturbances are similar to those experienced by humans with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in winter.
- When giant pandas are housed north or south of their natural range, their body clocks can become out of sync, resulting in suboptimal welfare for the pandas.
- Giant pandas housed in zoos outside their natural latitudinal range exhibit lower levels of activity and potentially display abnormal and sexual behaviors.
- Zoos should ensure that the housing and care provided to giant pandas align with their natural circadian rhythms to promote their overall well-being and welfare.
The details
Researchers from the University of Stirling have found that giant pandas living in zoos outside their natural habitat may experience disturbances in their bodies and behavior.
These disturbances are similar to those experienced by humans with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in winter.
The research was conducted over a period of 12 months at six different zoos.
The study reveals that when giant pandas are housed north or south of their natural range, their body clocks can become out of sync.
This results in suboptimal welfare for the pandas.
All animals, including giant pandas, have a circadian rhythm.
This rhythm is regulated by various cues from their natural environment, such as temperature, light cycles, and seasonal food availability.
When giant pandas are housed in zoos outside their natural latitudinal range, their rhythms of behavior throughout the day and year can be affected.
This is due to environmental cues like light having different cycles in these locations.
The study observed that giant pandas housed in zoos outside their natural range exhibited lower levels of activity.
This could potentially impact their overall well-being.
The researchers also noted that abnormal and sexual behaviors among the pandas fluctuated simultaneously.
This indicates frustration due to the inability to migrate or mate as they would in their natural habitat.
To gather data, the researchers utilized webcams to monitor 11 giant pandas at six different zoos.
These zoos were both within and outside their natural habitat.
They recorded general activity levels, sexual behaviors, and abnormal behaviors.
This was done to analyze the impact of disrupted circadian rhythms on the pandas.
When animals synchronize their internal clocks with external cues like light and temperature, they exhibit adaptive behaviors.
However, when this synchronization is disrupted, adverse effects can occur.
In the case of giant pandas, housing them in zoos at higher latitudes than their natural range appears to result in lower activity levels.
It also results in potential displays of abnormal and repetitive behaviors.
This is possibly due to the inability to express normal sexual-related behaviors.
It is crucial for zoos to consider these findings.
They should ensure that the housing and care provided to giant pandas, as well as other animals, align with their natural circadian rhythms.
This study highlights the importance of maintaining environments that closely resemble the natural habitat of animals.
This is to promote their overall well-being and welfare.
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| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – Living in zoos outside their natural environment may disrupt the bodies and behavior of giant pandas, similar to how humans with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are affected in the winter. |
| – University of Stirling researchers studied giant pandas at six zoos over 12 months and found that if the animals are living north or south of their natural habitat, their body clocks may be out of sync, leading to suboptimal welfare. – |
| All animals have a circadian rhythm regulated by cues from their natural environment, such as temperature, light cycles, and seasonal food. |
| – Giant pandas housed in zoos outside their natural range show lower levels of activity, potentially impacting their well-being. – Abnormal and sexual behaviors of pandas fluctuated at similar points, suggesting frustration due to the inability to migrate or mate as normal. – Housing giant pandas in zoos outside their natural latitudinal range, where environmental cues like light have different cycles, affects their rhythms of behavior throughout the day and year. – Animals synchronize their internal clocks to external cues like light and temperature for adaptive behaviors, and when this synchronization is disrupted, adverse effects can occur. |
| – Giant pandas housed in zoos at higher latitudes than their natural range exhibit lower levels of activity. |
| – Abnormal and repetitive behaviors in giant pandas may be displayed when they are unable to express sexual-related behaviors, replacing one behavior for the other. – |
| The researchers used webcams to monitor 11 giant pandas at six zoos, both inside and outside their natural habitat, noting general activity, sexual behavior, and abnormal behavior. |
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