Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Research articles about zoo felids and welfare, published between and including the years 2005-2015, were reviewed and analysed.

EAZA’s Husbandry guidelines for tigers, leopards, cheetahs and Pallas’s cats were reviewed.

Behavioural studies were performed in four Swedish zoos, Borås Zoo, Nordens Ark, Orsa rovdjurspark and Parken Zoo, between August 4 and October 4 2015.

Seven species of felids were selected for the study; Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor), Snow leopard (Uncia uncia), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul).

Data sampling was made by instantaneous scan sampling  every 30 second in sessions of 30 minutes. Observations  were performed in 12  sessions per day between  8 AM and 5 PM, except for in Orsa rovdjurspark where there were 7 sessions between 10 AM - 3 PM.

All animals were observed in their normal enclosures.

In each scan the behaviour, position of all animals in the enclosure and use of possible resources were registered. Resources were permanent manmade or natural structures in the enclosures, that can be used as viewing points, cover, for swiming, playing. etc