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Title: The effect of auditory enrichment on the behaviour of black and white colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza caudatus)
Author: Lucy Cooke
Establishment: Writtle College and the University of Essex
Summary: The aim of the research was to determine the effect of playing vocalisations of black and white colobus (Colobus guereza caudatus) and red colobus (Colobus badius) to a group of black and white colobus monkeys.
Complete article:
The aim of the research was to determine the effect of playing vocalisations of black and white colobus (Colobus guereza caudatus) and red colobus (Colobus badius) to a group of black and white colobus monkeys.
Baseline levels of behaviour were similar to those recorded in the wild, therefore it can be considered than the colobus monkeys had a high level of welfare before the enrichment was provided. However, it was of interest to ascertain if they would display increased species-specific behaviours in response to inter and intra-species vocalisations.
During the presentation of black and white colobus vocalisations, the subjects displayed a significant increase awareness and vocalisation. In particular, the dominant male demonstrated the leaping behaviour and vocalisations recorded in the wild to be methods of asserting dominance.
During the presentation of red colobus vocalisations, increased levels of huddling were observed. This could be considered as an ecologically relevant response, as in the wild, vocalisations are thought to maintain spacing between groups of different species to avoid confrontation. However, the decline in weather during the study period should also be taken into account. The increase in huddling was not statistically significant, however, decreased levels of play and feeding behaviours were significant.
This study has implications for the continued husbandry and enrichment for black and white colobus monkeys, demonstrating their responses to ecologically relevant stimuli.
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