A helping hand?: Comparisons of Felid taxa A helping hand?

: Comparisons of Felid taxa

sociality during hand-rearing and eventual role sociality during hand-rearing and eventual role
in adult interactions and breeding success. in adult interactions and breeding success.
RELEVANCE AIMS:
Approximately 45% of Felidae are categorised as Vulnerable or ➢ To assess how different felid species interact with
higher on the IUCN Red List, and a further 19% are Near their carers
Threatened. This means that the survival of many threatened
felid species depends on the management of captive reserve
populations and their associated breeding programmes. ➢ To assess whether felids interact differently
depending on gender/age of carer, and if
In captivity and in natural populations, it may sometimes be male/female felids interact differently
necessary for young animals to be hand-reared in order to
ensure their survival. Despite this necessity, much of the
research on hand-rearing young animals has centred on the ➢ To assess how hand-reared felids behave as adults
negative impacts this may have on adult behaviour.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This research involves the completion of questionnaires by
carers or keepers of hand-reared felids. You can
participate if you meet either of the following
criteria:
➢ You have hand-reared any
felid cub
To date, there has been very little research on the effects of
hand-rearing on felids and how this differs between species. ➢ You have worked/
One of the only examples has found differences in the effects currently work with any
of rearing between four felid species, with hand-rearing felid which has been
producing positive results in some felids but negative in others hand-reared
[1].
If you wish to participate, please
In addition, husbandry style has also been found to influence leave your contact details with the
the reproductive success of small exotic felids [2] and stress researcher.
levels of some felid species [3]. Your participation is greatly
appreciated.
Further research is therefore required to ascertain the
usefulness of hand-rearing as a conservation tool.
[1] Hampson, M. and Schwitzer, C. (2016). ‘Effects of Hand-Rearing on Reproductive Success in Captive Large Cats Panthera tigris altaica, Uncia uncia, Acinonyx jubatus and Neofelis nebulosa.’ PLOS ONE, 11(5), p.e0155992. [2] Mellen, J. (1991). ‘Factors influencing reproductive success in small captive exotic felids (Felis spp.): A multiple regression analysis.’ Zoo Biology,
10(2), pp.95-110. [3] Wielebnowski, N., Fletchall, N., Carlstead, K., Busso, J. and Brown, J. (2002). ‘Noninvasive assessment of adrenal activity associated with husbandry and behavioral factors in the North American clouded leopard population.’ Zoo Biology, 21(1), pp.77-98.
 A helping hand?: Comparisons of Felid taxa A helping hand?: Comparisons of Felid taxa
sociality during hand-rearing and eventual role sociality during hand-rearing and eventual role
in adult interactions and breeding success. in adult interactions and breeding success.

For any further enquiries, please do not

hesitate to get in touch:

Lead Researcher: Jessica Greenwood

Student of MSc Zoo Conservation
Biology
Manchester Metropolitan University
Email: Jessica.Greenwood2@stu.mmu.ac.uk

Supervisor: Dr Giovanni Quintavelle

Pastorino
Upcoming Research: Currently seeking
Manchester Metropolitan University/Milan Questionnaire Participants!
Veterinary University
Do you have experience in hand rearing
Email: G_Pastorino@hotmail.com felids?
Do you currently work with any
hand-reared felids?
Please enquire and help to support felid
conservation and welfare.