The effect of animal personality on husbandry of Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua)

• Main Author: Legard, Matthew John
• Other Authors: Breithaupt, Thomas, Henri, Dominic C.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Environmental sciences; Pygoscelis papua
• Online Access: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/file/4220841/1/Thesis; https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4220841

In many taxa animals exhibit personality by differing consistently in behaviour across situations and over time in response to stimuli. The study of animal personality has become its own sub-discipline of behavioural ecology and has grown rapidly over the last twenty years. Despite the rapid growth this area of study has received little attention in captive environments. This has resulted in limited understanding of the effects of animal personality on captive animal husbandry. These consistent differences between individuals may necessitate husbandry practices that cater for all personality types. In this study thirteen Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) at The Deep in Hull were investigated over a period of sixteen months using camera and focal observation. Three indicators of boldness were used to determine if personality is present in the population; the responses of penguins to aquarium visitors, aquarists and novel items. How personality was expressed on feeding, site fidelity and individual mating success were then investigated. Gentoo penguins clearly display personality through their behaviour and this was evident from consistent differences in boldness over time, in interactions with aquarium visitors and across situations, shown by similarities in interactions with aquarists and visitors. Boldness was significantly correlated with feeding rates, body weight and choice of site within the enclosure. However, there was no correlation between boldness and mating success. There are, therefore, expressions of personality in this population as bolder individuals fed more, weighed more and spent longer in brighter enclosure areas. However, both shy and bold birds were successful in producing eggs. It is recommended that feeding routines and enclosure design should take into account the requirements of all personality types. It is also suggested that the study be expanded to other populations and species to allow the general applicability of animal personality research on management of animals to be tested.