Zoochotic Behaviour - Stereotypic Behaviour
In Sight - Out of Mind
Keeping animals in captivity can, and does, cause immense mental suffering to the species put on display for our pleasure. Zoochotic animals are no more to be laughed at than our own mentally ill humans.
Zoochosis is the term used to describe the stereotypical
behaviour of animals in captivity.
Stereotypic behaviour
is defined as a repetitive, invariant behaviour pattern with no obvious
goal or function. Stereotypic behaviour is not seen in animals in the wild
and is understood to be abnormal and is therefore a negative factor in
conservation captive breeding.
Examples of this can be seen at most zoos in such behaviours as:-
-
Bar Biting, Neck Twisting, Tongue Playing, Excessive Grooming
-
Head Bobbing, Coprophagia, Swaying/Pacing/Circling
- Excessive Grooming, Vomiting, Self Mutilation
In a 2001 study of 257 captive Giraffe and Okapi in 49 US institutions, it was found that 80% exhibited some form of stereotypic behavior.
And the Causes?
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