|
|
Mal, M. E., & McCall, C. A. (1996). The influence of handling during different ages on a halter training test in foals. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 5(2), 115–120.
Abstract: Ten foals were used to determine effects of handling during different ages on their ability to perform a halter training test. Early-handled (EH) foals (n = 5) were handled in 10 min sessions 5 d weekly from 24 h after birth until 42 d of age, then were not handled from 43 to 84 d of age. Later-handled (LH) foals (n = 5) were not handled from birth to 42 d of age, then were handled in 10-min sessions 5 d weekly from 43 to 84 d of age. At 85 d of age, each foal was subjected to a 10 min halter training test for 5 consecutive d. The test consisted of an unfamiliar handler placing a halter on each foal and attempting to make the foal walk forward for 20 m. Data recorded during each d of the halter training were duration of initial struggle, number of lunges into the air, time to first forward step, time to five consecutive forward steps, and time to travel 20 m. At the end of the 5 d halter training test, the handler assigned a subjective test rating score to each foal based on ease of training. Split-plot analysis indicated that EH foals took less time (P < 0.05) to take one step forward, five consecutive steps forward, and to travel 20 m than LH foals. One-way ANOVA indicated that EH foals had a lower (more desirable) test ratings than LH foals (P < 0.01). Results indicate that handling throughout the first 42 d of life increased foal performance on this halter training task compared to handling from 43 to 84 d of age. These results may imply the existence of a critical handling period during the first 42 d of age or a phenomenon similar to learned helplessness
|
|
|
|
Meriggi, A., & Lovari, S. (1996). A Review of Wolf Predation in Southern Europe: Does the Wolf Prefer Wild Prey to Livestock? J. Appl. Ecol, 33, 1561–1571.
Abstract: 1. The recent recovery of the wolf in southern Europe has not yet removed the risk
of local extinction. Wolf populations are fragmented and often comprise fewer than
500 individuals. In North America, northern and eastern Europe, wolves feed maiiily
on wild herbivores. In southern Europe, this canid has apparently adapted to feed
also on fruit, rubbish, livestock, small and medium-size mammals.
2. The main conservation problem lies with predation o n domestic ~ingulates,w liich
leads to extensive killing of wolves. The reintroduction of wild large herbivores has
been advocated as a means of reducing attacks on livestock, but predatiori on the
latter may remain high if domestic ungulates are locally abundant.
3. Our synthesis of 15 studies, published in the last 15 years, on food habits of the
wolf in southern Europe, has shown that ungulates have been the main diet component
overall. A significant inverse correlation was found between the occurrence (%) of
wild and domestic ungulates in the diet. The presence of relatively few wild ungulate
species was necessary to reduce predation on livestock.
4. Selection of wild and domestic ungulate prey was influenced mainly by their local
abundance, but also by their accessibility. Feeding dependence on rubbish was local
and rare. In Italy, the consumption of riibbish/fruit and that of ungulates was significantly
negatively correlated. Diet breadth increased as the presence of large prey
in tlie diet decreased.
5. The simultaneous reintroduction of severa1 wild ungulate species is likely to reduce
predation on livestock and may prove to be one of the most effective conservation
measures.
|
|
|
|
Mertens, P. A., & Unshelm, J. (1996). Effects of Group and Individual Housing on the Behavior of Kennelled Dogs in Animal Shelters. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals, 9, 40–51.
Abstract: To emphasize the effects of group- and single housing of kennelled dogs, the behavior of 211 dogs in two German animal shelters was tested and observed. After being placed, 197 of the dogs' new owners were interviewed.
Although 51% of the German animal shelters already keep dogs in groups, there is strong prejudice against group housing because of the fear of fights. This study demonstrates that this apprehension is unfounded. Ninety-one percent of the social confrontations between dogs housed together were settled by the use of behavioral rituals. Keeping dogs in groups, furthermore, leads to a significant reduction in noise emission (p<.001). Group housing fulfills the dog's need for social interaction and the need to move. Dogs that were housed in groups displayed a closer human-animal relationship (80%) than those that had been kept individually (43%). A high percentage of individually housed dogs suffered from behavioral problems (31%) and 10% developed stereotypes. The percentage of behaviorally disturbed dogs observed in group housing was 11%, and stereotyped forms of behavior did not occur. Dogs who had been kept in groups were, on average, placed within 10 days, and were returned to the animal shelter less often (9%) compared to those housed individually (25%). Dogs that were housed separately needed an average of 17 days to be placed. Even after being placed, there is a correlation between the animal shelter's type of housing and the dog's behavior. Within four weeks after picking up their pet, 88% of the owners of dogs that had been housed individually complained of problems compared to the owners of the dogs that had been kept in groups, 53% of whom were completely satisfied with the adoption.
Despite the fact that these results might be influenced by the small number of shelters examined, the study leads to the conclusion that keeping dogs in groups is a suitable alternative for dog housing in animal shelters and, for the animals' welfare, is preferable to individual housing.
|
|
|
|
Miller RR, & Matute H. (1996). Biological significance in forward and backward blocking: resolution of a discrepancy between animal conditioning and human causal judgment. J. Exp. Psychol.: Anim. Behav. Process., 18, 251.
|
|
|
|
Miller, R. M. (1996). How we can quickly assume the role of horse herd leader: Making horses compliant and willing subjects. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 16(1), 4–7.
|
|
|
|
Monard, A. - M., & Duncan, P. (1996). Consequences of natal dispersal in female horses. Anim. Behav., 52(3), 565–579.
Abstract: Social, genetic and reproductive consequences of natal dispersal were investigated in female horses,Equus caballus, living in a herd with a natural social structure. Dispersal did not as a rule reduce the level of competition the young mares faced: they did not selectively join groups with fewer resident females than the groups they left, and they did not attain higher ranks; there was also no tendency for females to disperse to groups with the fewest resident females, and they suffered more aggression from the mares in their new groups than in their natal groups. These results therefore do not support the hypothesis that a function of natal dispersal is to reduce intra-sexual competition. The young mares nevertheless dispersed non-randomly, generally joining harems with one stallion and at least two subadult females; and they preferred to move to groups with familiar females but no familiar males. As a result, most were closely related to some females of their new groups, but distantly related or unrelated to the male(s). Since after dispersal the young mares bred only with a male of their new groups, inbreeding coefficients of most (85%) of their offspring were lower than from matings between half siblings. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a function of natal dispersal is to avoid close inbreeding. Dispersal did not appear to involve reproductive costs: the young mares suffered no delay in age at first reproduction, and the survival rates of their first foals tended to be higher if the females had emigrated, although not significantly so.
|
|
|
|
Monard, A. M., Duncan, P., & Boy, V. (1996). The proximate mechanisms of natal dispersal in female horses. Behaviour, 133, 1095–1124.
|
|
|
|
Nishida, T., & Hosaka K. (1996). Coalition strategies among adult male chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains, Tanzania. In W. C. McGrew, L. F. Marchant, & T. Nishida (Eds.), Great Ape Societies. (pp. 114–135). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
|
|
|
|
Overman W.H. (1996). Adaptations of ''animal tests'' of cognition for use in children. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 18, 343.
|
|
|
|
Packer, C., & Heinsohn, R. (1996). Response:Lioness leadership. Science, 271(5253), 1215–1216.
|
|
