Improving our knowledge of snow leopard behaviour (Panthera uncia) through close encounters and enclosure utilisation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract

There is currently limited information on the behaviour of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in wild or captive environments, or on the influence of close encounters on behaviour in captivity. This limits the ability of facility managers to design and evaluate habitats that fulfil the behavioural needs of captive animals, or to design and evaluate appropriate close encounter or enrichment strategies. The present study aimed to evaluate the behaviour of two snow leopard sisters (Asha and Manju) at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo in response to the introduction of close encounters (Chapter 2) and to develop detailed behavioural time budgets and characterise habitat utilisation (Chapter 3). To evaluate the effects of encounters on behaviour, continuous video recordings from 12 encounter days (three per week over four consecutive weeks) were analysed according to a pre-defined ethogram, for the periods 1 hour before (immediately before guests' arrival), during (while guests were present), and 1 hour after (immediately after guests left) encounters. Behavioural time budgets were calculated from continuous video recordings over 12 separate days (four days per week from weeks 1, 3, and 5, including 2 encounter and 2 non-encounter days per week) using the same pre-defined ethogram. In addition, the cat’s location in the habitat was recorded (based on pre-defined grids). The cats’ behaviour differed during and after encounters, and with different enrichment presentations. Both cats spent more time interacting with hanging enrichments than with other presentation types. The percentage of time spent inside the dens (where enrichment was presented) before and after the encounters differed between cats, possibly reflecting differences in response to/anticipation of guest presence. Furthermore, Asha’s time spent interacting with the enrichment increased over the four weeks, whereas Manju showed no such trend. The behavioural time budgets and habitat utilisation were similar among both cats. Both cats spent a large proportion of time inactive, which is consistent with previous data from wild and captive felids, with the largest proportion of their time spent in the flat, elevated sections of the habitat. This research is the first to characterise snow leopard behaviour in response to the introduction of close encounters. Presenting food enrichment in hanging format increased the time spent interacting, possibly mimicking natural hunting behaviours. Future research should evaluate behaviour over a longer period to account for any acclimation effects. Although there were broad similarities between the cats in their behavioural time budgets and habitat utilisation, the identification of individual differences in some behaviours highlights the importance of considering and characterising behaviour at the individual level when designing and evaluating enrichments and close encounters.