Study

The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

  • Published source details Wells D.L. & Irwin R.M. (2009) The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates moloch). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 12, 21-29.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Primates: Hide food in containers (including boxes and bags)

Action Link
Management of Captive Animals

Primates: Present food frozen in ice

Action Link
Management of Captive Animals
  1. Primates: Hide food in containers (including boxes and bags)

    A before-and-after study in 2009 in Ireland (Wells & Irwin, 2009) found that when food was presented in food filled baskets or presented in tubes foraging of moloch gibbons Hylobates moloch increased and time spent outside the indoor enclosure increased compared to when fresh fruit and vegetables were presented in one place.  With the food filled baskets significantly more instances of being outside and number of times gibbons were seen foraging were recorded when food filled baskets were presented (times outside: 106; times foraging: 44) compared to when fruit and vegetables were offered alone (times outside: 96; times foraging: 20). With the tubes significantly more instances of being outside and the number of times gibbons were seen foraging were recorded when food filled tubes were presented (times outside: 112; times foraging: 43) compared to when fruit and vegetables were offered alone (times outside: 96; times foraging: 20). A group of gibbons was presented with food in baskets or tubes for five days, with three baskets or tubes suspended within the animal exhibit each time. The gibbons’ behaviour was recorded every five minutes for five hours per day for 12 days.    (CJ)

     

  2. Primates: Present food frozen in ice

    A before-and-after study in 2009 in Ireland (Wells & Irwin 2009) found that when food was presented as frozen ice pops foraging of moloch gibbons Hylobates moloch increased and time spent outside the indoor enclosure increased compared to when fresh fruit and vegetables were presented in one place. Significantly more instances of being outside and number of times gibbons were seen foraging were recorded when food was presented in ice pops (times outside: 134; times foraging: 43) compared to when fruit and vegetables were offered alone (times outside: 96; times foraging: 20). A group of gibbons were presented with ice pops for five days, with three ice pops suspended within the animal exhibit each time. The gibbons’ behaviour was recorded every five minutes for five hours per day for 12 days.    (CJ)

     

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