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HAMILLA 2018.pdf (1.82 MB)

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Orangutan health and behavior: Implications for nutrition in captivity

Hamilla, Rachel A, Hamilla
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7700-5211
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1524433293426808

Abstract Details

2018, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Anthropology.
Zoo-housing of orangutans is beneficial to conservation efforts, but captive life is inherently different than wild, as specifically seen in dietary content and feeding behavior. A commercial primate food ("biscuits") largely supplements the diet of zoo-housed orangutans, and this creates a wide discrepancy between the fiber content of captive and wild diets. This discrepancy may play a role in the behavioral abnormalities, such as regurgitation and reingestion (R/R), and health issues such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, weight problems, and glucose regulation issues, common of captive apes. The present study aimed to explore this by examining the effects of fiber content on the health and behavior of a group of zoo-housed Bornean orangutans. This study implemented a diet change that eliminated the biscuit entirely, and increased overall fiber. Data collection included behavioral observations focused on feeding time, space use, undesirable behaviors, and overall time spend active, and blood samples to monitor physiological markers of potential health problems. The change in diet was related to a more diverse space use pattern in all subjects, a decrease in R/R, and a marked improvement in the health markers of two subjects.
Mary Ann Raghanti, PhD (Committee Chair)
Patricia Dennis, PhD, DVM (Committee Member)
Linda Spurlock, PhD (Committee Member)
Marilyn Norconk , PhD (Committee Member)
89 p.
Animal Diseases; Animals; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Physical Anthropology; Zoology
orangutan; diet; ape diet; biscuits; regurgitation and reingestion; R-R; heart disease; URTD; conservation; zoos; zoo-housing; captivity; health; behavior

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hamilla, Hamilla, R. A. (2018). Orangutan health and behavior: Implications for nutrition in captivity [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1524433293426808

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hamilla, Hamilla, Rachel. Orangutan health and behavior: Implications for nutrition in captivity. 2018. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1524433293426808.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hamilla, Hamilla, Rachel. "Orangutan health and behavior: Implications for nutrition in captivity." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1524433293426808

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1524433293426808
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© 2018, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.