Environmental enrichment strategies for Eurasian Lynxes, Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity environments

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the effect of olfactory environmental enrichment on the behavior of Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Moscow Zoo during the summer and autumn of 2022. The research involved four adult lynxes (one male and three females). Environmental enrichment consisted of introducing the excrement of potential competitor species (Panthera tigris, Canis lupus, Gulo gulo) and prey species (Capra cylindricornis, Lepus timidus, Cervus nippon) of lynxes. Behavioral observations were conducted using Time Slice video recording. The influence of factors such as individual animal characteristics (sex, age), air temperature, observation time, and the introduction of olfactory environmental enrichment on the behavior of the lynxes was assessed. Results indicated that olfactory environmental enrichment significantly affected the frequency of both inactive and active behavioral patterns in the lynxes. An increase in the active behavior was observed following the introduction of all odors, except for the excrements of G. gulo and L. timidus. A decrease in the inactive behavior was observed in all cases, except for enrichment of the environment with excrements of L. timidus. Enrichment with C. cylindricornis manure resulted in the maximum increase in the locomotor activity in the lynxes.