Shanghai Wild Animal Park, China Report

April 22-28, 2016

Goal

The purpose of the visit was to integrate four infants and a female solitary chimpanzee and a pair of chimpanzees into a group and to give recommendations regarding basic husbandry routine and enrichment for all species.

Xiaoxiao                                                           Zhenzhen

Lili

Rapo                                  Baobei                               Ado                               Dola

Introduction

There were seven chimpanzees kept in 3 different enclosures Shanghai Wildlife Park (SWP).

Lili was kept in solitary confinement for approximately nine years due to previous aggression between her and Zhenzhen. While the four infants were kept together, they were housed separately from the adults because of the belief that the male would kill them if introduced.

The introduction was accomplished in four days. First, Lili was introduced to the four infants. It is not well known, but formerly-bonded infants can and will protect each other if needed (even against adults). As expected, the infants stood up for themselves during Lili’s mild attacks, but soon the group settled down and began socializing (playing, tickling, grooming, etc.). This group of five chimpanzees was housed together for an extra day to allow Lili the opportunity to feel more comfortable and gain more allies before moving to the adults. During this period, Xiaoxiao and Zhenzhen were let inside the tunnel system – a design allowing the shifting of animals from all directions to any enclosure. In this tunnel system, the pair could observe the five chimpanzees together. The group was separated overnight or when being fed.

By the morning of the third day, the Lili/infant group appeared to be relaxed and comfortable together; the chimpanzees did not fight when let together after separation, were playing together, grooming each other and/or resting comfortably with each other. At this time, the adult male, Xiaoxiao, was introduced. As is typical for males, Xiaoxiao displayed for a couple of minutes, running around, kicking and banging on doors and mesh before settling down. His aggressive display made the rest of the group nervous (running around and screaming) and the other chimpanzees, again, stood up for each other and even chased Xiaoxiao to a corner where he cried and solicited for reassurance with an extended hand. At no point did Xiaoxiao threaten aggression, despite the fact that he could have easily killed and/or seriously injured any or all of the infants at any time; he chose to exhibit the submissive behaviors described above. Although we cannot completely understand the motivations for his behavior, one can speculate that he was most interested in keeping the peace, knowing that he was responsible for frightening the group. This incident provides another example that male chimpanzees – at least in captivity – are most often gentle giants and have no interest in exercising their strength on weaker members. On the fourth day, the second female was integrated into the group without any incidents. Shanghai Wildlife Park continues to report the group is doing well together.

Substrate and furniture

SWP has beautiful, large exhibits, full of tall furniture, climbing structures and natural surface with grass. The inside cages need a little bit of improvement with furniture and substrate through.

Animals received hay as substrate prior the introductions with chopped food hidden both in their indoor exhibits and night houses.

Suggestions: Metal furniture needs to be changed into wooden surfaces if possible. Begin keeping animals off of unyielding surfaces (brick, concrete, etc.). The use of appropriate substrate (inside – paper products, hay or straw, etc.; outside – nonflammable materials such as grass, sand, soil, mulch, fresh browse, etc.) will make a significant difference not only in the animals’ mental and physical health, but also in the improvement of the exhibit aesthetics. Using substrate will reduce cleaning time and water consumption, as well. Soaking, scrubbing and hosing dry waste takes much longer than spot cleaning substrate due to the substrate’s ability to absorb urine and cover fecal matter. Reducing hosing and partially covering surface with substrate will overcome any of these obstacles and provide animals with a soft surface. In China, paper products are toxic, but pet-safe; eco-friendly products (bags, wrapping papers, boxes, burlap bags, etc.) are available online. Please review samples:

http://www.beyondplay.com/ITEMS/H781.HTM

http://www.greenpartygoods.com/treat-boxes-and-bags-goodie-boxes-and-bags-c-2_21.html

http://www.poshpuppyboutique.com/Holiday_Wrapping_Paper_Soy_Based_Non_Toxic_No_p/wp-ppp-bir00200-i.htm

http://www.spoonflower.com/gift_wrap

Pet Friendly - designed specifically for pets with soy-based, non-toxic inks
• Environmentally responsible - Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified product
• Made in the USA - a safer product, held to a higher standard
• Engages pets in the celebration!
• Box Size: 12x9x2 in.
Package Size: 11.5x9 in.
Sheet Size: 39x26 in. (7sq. ft.)  

Winter care 

The chimpanzees are usually locked inside for 3-4 months during wintertime. 

Chimpanzees can be allowed outside for limited time during the winter. However, they need to have access to inside heat and provided with extra blankets. Some institutions keep a temperature guideline and will only let their chimpanzees out if the temperature reaches 10-13 degrees Celsius. Others, such as Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, USA, allow the chimpanzees to make their own decision. It is important to remember to provide chimpanzees the opportunity to seek warmth if allowed outdoor access during cold weather, and there might be a temperature below which outdoor access is inappropriate. The only time they don't allow them outside is when heavy, wet snow reduces the voltage on their electric fence.

Chimps in Snow

 
Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, U.K.               Saint Louis Zoo, USA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WkgE8SuL3A

See-through curtains made from heavy-duty plastic strips can be hung inside the night houses to keep the animals warm. Management must take into consideration the type of enclosure, the animals’ behavior and characteristics, the materials used, if it would prevent the animals from exiting or entering the enclosure, etc. 

Suggestions: The method used by the Chester Zoo in England is simple. Strips of thick, clear ARCO PVC are cut to the length of the slide and holes are drilled in the PVC. A strong, thick metal plate, which has the same amount of holes drilled in it, is lined up and bolted onto the wall. This makes it a lot easier to take off and replace broken or torn PVC strips. 

General Propositions

The park was divided into two sections, a drive through and a walking area. In the drive through part, the animals were kept in extremely large, luxurious exhibits with animals and appeared in good mental and physical health. Due to lack of time, I didn’t have a chance to look at inside holding areas.

In the visitor walk section; although areas were smaller, most of the times, animals were kept in large, adequate exhibits.

Most animals had enrichment. It seemed like SWP was genuinely caring about their animals’ exhibition and wellbeing. However, in general, all animals lacked substrate or had inadequate substrate in the inside areas (night houses, holding pans, etc.) and in some cases the exhibits as well. Meerkat exhibit had larger rocks and Fennec foxes had hard floor instead of deep sand.

Suggestions: Special attention needs to be made for small carnivores such as fennec foxes and meerkats. These animals dig deep holes and tunnel systems underground in soil and sand. Fish tanks need to be furnished with rockwork, sand and plants.

Large felines and primates had excellent enrichment programs. I especially applauded the tiger climbing posts and the capuchin monkeys breaking nuts with rocks.

Orangutans

The orangutans were kept in a large and luxurious exhibit however; some of the ropes were frayed and loose that can potentially cause an accident.

Suggestions: Ropes need to be checked frequently and removed when fayed.   Both ends need to be secured at all times. Also, the use of marine ropes would be preferable due to their larger size and durability.

The following presentations were provided: 

CHIMPANZEE: TO UNDERSTAND, TO MENTOR, TO SAVE. What makes chimpanzees special, and why, more than any other species, they deserve our special attention. I will attempt to convey the intelligence, describe the sensitive minds, and illustrate the social and physical needs of the chimpanzee. By revisiting this close relative of humans from a different angle, I hope that all people will begin to appreciate these animals and their fundamental needs on a higher level.

CONTRA FREELOADING. A presentation teaches people how to feed their animals so, instead of eating, they would forage similar to their conspecifics to the wild.

THE LACK OF SUBSTRATE USE IN ZOOS. Addresses the easy fix of empty cages and shows how much of a difference it makes in the animals’ lives when they do not have to sit in empty concrete cages. This is probably the most important animal welfare presentation I will give.

LET THEM BE ELEPHANTS. Describes how the Phoenix Zoos’ enrichment program helped us to have happier, mentally healthier Before, all these animals did was to try to kill each other. It also addresses some foot work to help keep their feet in better shape and prevent the suffering that wet concrete can cause (which includes the possibility of early euthanasia).

order to improve animal welfare.

I would like to thank the Shanghai Wild Animal Park director and staff for inviting me to improve their animals’ welfare. I would also like to thank Dr. Mary Lewis for funding this trip and establishing such a wonderful working relationship between the Jane Goodall Institute, the Phoenix Zoo and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park.