Watters Jason V, Margulis Susan W, Atsalis Sylvia
Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois 60513, USA.
Zoo Biol. 2009 Jan-Feb;28(1):35-48. doi: 10.1002/zoo.20207.
Behavioral monitoring is the scientific collection of animal behavior data to understand normal patterns of behavior and changes in these patterns. This tool is underutilized in the zoo industry although it can be an effective indicator of many potential problems that compromise zoo animal well-being. We suggest that a behavioral monitoring program should be a core component of a zoological institution's care program. We detail the benefits of such a program and describe its components. We provide guidelines for implementing such a program and make recommendations that will help institutions to employ behavioral monitoring programs with reasonable expense. We argue that the benefits of such a program, primarily increased detection of rising or potential problems, far outweigh the minor costs of implementation.
行为监测是对动物行为数据进行科学收集，以了解正常行为模式及其变化。尽管行为监测工具可有效指示许多影响动物园动物健康的潜在问题，但在动物园行业中却未得到充分利用。我们建议行为监测计划应成为动物园机构护理计划的核心组成部分。我们详细阐述了该计划的益处并描述了其组成部分。我们提供了实施此类计划的指导方针，并提出建议以帮助各机构以合理的费用采用行为监测计划。我们认为，该计划的益处，主要是能更多地发现正在出现或潜在的问题，远远超过实施的微小成本。
