Zoo Animals that 'Bear' Watching
Posted at 12:47 pm July 21, 2006 by John Nichols
I have been a fan of the San Diego Zoo for as long as I can remember. From my earliest days as a 'Zoo School' camper to recent summers as an intern in the Zoo's Education Department, my interest in the Zoo's mission and various functions has continuously evolved and only continues to grow.
I am proud to be working this summer as a Research Fellow for CRES in the Giant Panda Conservation unit. With the help of keepers, zoo-based researchers, and a small group of volunteers, I am conducting a study of non-natural behaviors displayed by bears in captivity. These behaviors, such as pacing and head tossing, are known as " stereotyped" behaviors and are generally considered to be indicators of sub-optimal living conditions or mental state by behaviorists and zoo guests alike. We will be looking to identify the motivational factors behind such stereotyped behavior.
One of the things we do to alleviate stereotyped behavior is introduce novel items into exhibits. These items can vary tremendously, from a simple spritz of cologne to a complex feeder puzzle that the animals must manipulate and solve in order to find the treats inside. As each method of environmental enrichment differs in design, they also provide different types of stimulation.
We will be observing the Zoo's brown bear (Spanky, pictured above), sun bears, and spectacled bears in both typical conditions and periods of enrichment to try to get a better understanding of what factors lead to stereotyped behaviors. This research integrates our dual missions of conservation and education, two key functions of a modern zoological society. Ideally, the results of this research will assist us in refining our husbandry efforts, which, in turn, support our well-established conservation program. That's good news for our spectacled bears and sun bears, which are both highly endangered species. In the process, we hope to find ways to more effectively address stereotyped behaviors and ultimately showcase animals with more natural behavior repertoires.
I will be working for CRES all summer, and can be spotted with my stopwatch and clipboard in the Zoo's Bear Canyon most days of the week. Check back for updates"”I look forward to keeping you updated on my progress!
John Nichols is a Bonner Fellow for the Giant Panda Conservation unit.
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July 22nd, 2006 at 4:31 am
What a fabulous job, John, being employed to watch bears all day! And here's all of us doing it as a hobby - hope you know how lucky you are! I'm sure you do. Looking forward to your next post to hear how the study is going, should be very interesting…
July 22nd, 2006 at 8:51 am
Thanks for a very interesting blog, John. That sounds like an important study. I know lots of zoo-goers feel some anxiety when they see an animal engaging in stereotyped behavior (like Orson, the beautiful black jaguar). Please keep us informed of your findings - and I'll look for you in Bear Canyon.
July 22nd, 2006 at 9:34 am
Hello, John. We'll all look forward to reading your reports. The folks that read and post here are always happy to have as many details as we can get!
I hope you'll enjoy your summer as an intern and will find it to be a very rewarding experience as you learn things that will lead to additional ways to enrich the lives of all the bears.
I wish there had been opportunities like this available when I was in school and afterward. It's wonderful to know that there are programs like yours now!!!
July 22nd, 2006 at 11:34 am
Congratulations on your fellowship, John. I hope your study 'bears' fruit in reducing the incidents of stereotypical behavior in captive bears.
It seems to me that some of that behavior is due to the captive bears' anticipation of a scheduled event, such as the opening of a door at a certain time each morning, or, of course, feeding times. I would think, then, that some stereotypical behavior is unavoidable due to the routines necessitated by the captive environment, and is evident in almost all captive species.
I have not seen any studies that describe the " routines" of wild bears. Do they have routines, such as visiting a favored feeding area at the same time each day? Or are their day-to-day activities largely random and dictated by the seasons, breeding, and availability of various foods?
It must be very difficult to balance the requirements of a mentally healthy bear with the requirements of a captive environment. Good luck to you. I hope your study will help propose new and better enrichment ideas for all the animals.
July 22nd, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I think you were on camera briefly today. A handsome young man with a clipboard?
The most common stereotyped behavior in the pandas has to be the pacing they do when they know it is time for their caretakers to let them into their bedrooms so the outside enclosure can cleaned and fresh bamboo brought in. The pandas know there will be treats waiting for them in their bedrooms and, when they are let outside again, there will be more treats waiting for them. It would seem natural for them to look forward to these treats and to start pacing when they know their caretakers are due.
It would be hard to alleviate this pacing, wouldn't it? The caretakers have to have access to the enclosures to do the necessary daily maintenance.
July 23rd, 2006 at 1:00 pm
1:4t p.m. PST The pandacam person has the picture turned sideways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bai Yun and Su Lin eating bamboo.
The Pandacam person who was on Saturday 10:00 a.m. PST and on did a terrific job. Following Bai Yun's pacing all over the outside area - pacing - pacing -pacing. Also in and out of the pool with Su Lin following. Little Su Lin following along behind momma as fast as her little legs would go. After about one hour and 45 min, Su Lin was really tired so she sat down. Bai Yun would not let her rest at that point so she played with Su Lin who seemed too tired to respond. The Pandacam finally lost track of Su Lin so don't know where she went - probably up a tree to nap. Bai Yun continued to pace and pace. Suzanne, it would be interesting to know why Bai Yun was upset.
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:48 pm
I just read an article on China Daily about a run away panda named Bai Xue (name means Snow White) who had the first panda cub birth at Wolong this year. It's a cute story about a panda that apparently was found in the wild and had several cubs at Woolong before escaping into the wild for several years. She showed up at Wolong last year and they were not sure if she would be able to have a cub, but she did.
The article said that the father of the cub is Shi Shi. I was just wondering if that is the same Shi Shi that was at San Diego. Please let us know. Thanks!
July 24th, 2006 at 5:58 am
Good luck John! I'm from Iowa and probably will never get to see all the wonderful sights there. I envy you. Keep up the good work - we want all of our bears to be as happy as possible!!
July 24th, 2006 at 8:13 am
John - I am very excited by your research. I am a huge sun bear fan! I have seen them both at your zoo in San Diego as well as the Audubon zoo in New Orleans. Everytime I see them, they seem to pace and pace. I am hopeful your research will be able to make these adorable bears more comfortable in their zoo environments. Please keep us updated and good luck!
July 24th, 2006 at 9:15 am
The giant panda found in northwestern Shaanxi Province is recovering from its injuries. Chinese veterinarians and dentists are considering performing an operation to give the injured giant panda three false teeth so that it can eat bamboo. China Daily 7-21-06
July 24th, 2006 at 10:45 am
So many thoughtful comments and well-wishers. Thank you all.
Pamela, I am not sure about daily routines they may have in the wild. Bears spend most of their time searching for food, and I am willing to bet that there is an element of routine in their foraging. This is something that naturally happens as species co-evolve in an environment. Most of my reading has been focused on studies in captivity, but I will keep my eye out for any information that may address this question.
July 24th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Hello John. I am intrigued by your research and also look forward to reading your report. Congratulations on receiving such an interesting project. I imagine life is harsh in general whether in the wild or in captivity but it is nice that we try to attain some happy balance while they are captive. Meanwhile I look forward to Su Lin's birthday celebration, but will be sad to see Mei Sheng go.
Conversation with Mei Sheng #6
Mei Sheng: Plee-ay, demi plee-ay… (practicing ballet at the barre)
Tourist: Hello, Mei Sheng.
M: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: I see you're working on some ballet.
M: Uh huh. This will be for part 2 of the martial arts panda trilogy.
T: Oh, you mean Gao Gao's film production.
M: Yup. And Su Lin is practicing, too.
T: And what role will she play?
M: She will play Zhu Yingtai.
T: But this role is from a Romeo and Juliet type story.
M: I know. But for the trilogy, it's nice to have a little romance.
T: So I gather you will play Liang Shanbo. Right?
M: Right. And Mama Bai Yun will play a fairy godmother.
T: But there's no fairy godmother in the story.
M: I know, but it was Su Lin's birthday request.
T: So why not do a cinderella story instead?
M: Su Lin doesn't like the costume as much.
T: Oh, now don't tell me. You mean she wants to wear butterfly wings?
M: Yup. We will both wear sparkly butterfly wings while flying and dancing in the air.
July 24th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
I wonder if it is really hot at SDZ. I seem to catch the bears pacing back and foth quite a bit on cameras. Mama Bai Yun and Mei Sheng were both caught on cameras pacing.
I witnessed little Su Lin trotting at the heels of her mother earlier today. It was quite endearing to observe the little one going after mama. =)
July 24th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
hey john! sounds like great fun although we miss you @ " the zoo" …lol. it must be a challenge to come up w/many different things to stimulate the bears but i'm sure w/your imagination, it'll be a snap :o)
July 25th, 2006 at 9:08 am
John, Congrats on your research with the most precious bears in the world! After reading the weblogs I was concerned about an issue that hasn't came up. We hear alot about conservation of the Giant Panda and believe me I am so VERY grateful for the efforts made for the past couple of decades as I am an EXTREME Panda fanatic. I get alerts from CNN about endangered species (in addition to my much anticipated Panda alerts) and I'm very concerned about the world's tiger populations. There seems to be a real crisis in saving this beautiful cat. Anything we can do to help protect them is urgently needed as poaching for their body parts has reached an alarming level. It looks like we really need to educate our children about this precious species before it too is lost forever. We also need to pressure certain countries that trade in tiger parts to cease this practice as well as educate the people and urge them to stop their use in traditional medicine.
Any news about this very important research and conservation efforts would be greatly appreciated.
July 25th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Oh P. Wong you have done it again I have been so sad today thinking about Mei leaving and then I read this. I have a vision of Su Lin with a sparkly tutu and wings and why not a wand. this would make a fantastic musical. I could just see them now flying on a wire high in the air. I'm sure this would be a huge hit. Keep at it, waiting for the next one.
July 25th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Kristi #15 there is a wonderful place in South Carolina called Tigers. they are trying to save the world's most endangered tigers, mainly the rare golden tabby, which is so beautiful. The man that runs Tigers is wonderful. he has a great regard for these animals. The countries that these animals come from don't realize that these animals will soon be extinct, what a great loss. I have had the pleasure of visiting Tigers several times while on vacation and had the chance to hold and feed a tiger a baby bottle. It was something i will never forget, with the tiger purring in my lap. also played with the small cubs. People don't realize that it's not just pandas and tigers that we are losing every day. we really need to wake up. John, we need alot more people like you.
July 26th, 2006 at 5:39 am
Reuters News reported that Chinese police have detained a man trying to sell the fur of YOUNG PANDA for about US$ 30,000.
The fur is 24 inches long, belonged to a CUB!!!
Poachers and smugglers of endangered animals could be jailed for more than 10 years and fined in China.
People I can believe!! . Researches, like you John, and all the SD Zoo Team are working hard to save the pandas,
it's so sad to know that a precious baby died…
July 26th, 2006 at 10:46 am
As easy as it is for us to say poaching is bad, I think it is just as important to take a look at the underlying factors that help it thrive. Global poverty levels remain the most important of those factors. Lacking the basic necessities of life (food, water, and shelter) understandably changes our system of values. As remarkable as the stories of pelts fetching thousands of dollars are, poaching simply for consumption (bushmeat) remains the largest problem. It is up to those of us who are fortunate enough to have our primary needs provided to not support poaching in any way. The most direct method is to not purchase any poached goods. This certainly includes pelts and various goods made from parts (e.g. ivory and rhino horn), but less obviously various local delicacies like shark fin soup and abalone. The more complicated but just as necessary action is to ultimately create a situation where people are no longer confronted with the choice of poach or starve.
July 26th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
John, thank you for your wise perspective. We're animals like any other; our attempts to survive have an impact on the world around us. I did not know that abalone was endangered, and I buy abalone beads! I'll be looking this up, and then, NO MORE!
Some people say safaris are bad, but it seems to me that safari parks give local people jobs and a reason to make sure the animals survive. What kind of impact does the Wolong reserve have on the local economy?
I saw the story of the cub pelt at work today; I ran to the bathroom because I couldn't hold my tears back. I know about desperation; I just can't believe someone would do that to something so blatantly innocent and sweet and special. But then again, I don't need the price some sicko would pay for it that badly, either.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:39 am
I should have been more specific. Not all abalone are endangered, but this is not necessary to be considered poached. Anything taken out of season or beyond established limits is poaching. This is hard on abalone because it's such a slow-growing species. As a personal anecdote, when my father was diving 30 years ago, abalone was plentiful on the California coastline. I have been diving for the last 3 years and have seen maybe a handful of live abalone. So the population has certainly taken a drastic hit, mirroring most of the world's fisheries. South Africa is having a huge problem with abalone (or as they call it, perlemone) poaching.
September 25th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Reuters News reported that Chinese police have detained a man trying to sell the fur of a YOUNG PANDA for about US $30,000. The fur is 24 inches long, belonged to a CUB!!!
Poachers and smugglers of endangered animals could be jailed for more than 10 years and fined in China.
People I can believe!! Researchers like you, John, and all the SD Zoo Team, are working hard to save the pandas, it's so sad to know that a precious baby died…
October 19th, 2006 at 10:32 am
i think it would be amazing to work at the san diego zoo. excellent job at all your work!