A group of primates in two zoological facilities adjusted their behavior during the pandemic, with signs of both social change and altered routines. A team of British zoologists and colleagues from a major UK university observed bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas, and baboons to understand how reduced human presence inside closed zoos affected their daily lives. The study, summarized in a peer reviewed journal, highlights the nuanced ways apes and other primates respond when human activity shifts, offering insights that can inform future welfare strategies in captivity. [British zoologists and University of England, 2024]
Across the two zoos, researchers tracked shifts in social interaction, rest, feeding, and interactions with visitors. When the environments reopened after periods of closure, bonobos and gorillas appeared less isolated and spent less time resting compared with the lockdown phase. Chimpanzees showed an uptick in eating and increased communication with kin and other related individuals, suggesting a rekindling of social bonds after the hiatus. Baboons at a safari enclosure demonstrated more curiosity toward visitor vehicles and made fewer displays of sexual or dominant behavior during the reopening period, indicating a potential shift in social signals as human presence resumed. [British zoologists and University of England, 2024]
Interpreting these patterns is not straightforward. Some indicators point to positive social engagement as a sign of mental and social vitality. More robust interactions among troop members can support learning, alliance formation, and stress resilience. Yet, reduced resting time in gorillas, a species known for lengthy periods of inactivity that rest often serves physiologic and recuperative purposes, could reflect overstimulation or heightened arousal that is not ideal for energy balance and welfare. The researchers emphasize that the observed changes are not inherently good or bad; they simply reveal that human presence can influence behavioral repertoires in meaningful ways, and the direction of welfare impact may depend on species, individual temperament, and the environment provided by the zoo. [British zoologists and University of England, 2024]
From these results, the team concludes that human activity leaves a measurable imprint on ape behavior in captive settings. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing study to optimize housing, enrichment, and social opportunities for primates in zoos. By continuing to monitor responses to human presence, curators can tailor husbandry practices to maintain naturalistic social dynamics while safeguarding animal health and comfort during periods of fluctuation in visitor access. The work invites broader consideration of how zoos balance public engagement with animal welfare, and what policies might best support thriving primates when human intervals shift. [British zoologists and University of England, 2024]