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Comparison of indoor and captive, free-roaming management in golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) at Zürich Zoo

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

HW Steinmetz ,
R Zingg ,
P Ossent ,
U Eulenberger ,
M Clauss  and
JM Hatt
HW Steinmetz*
Affiliation:
Chester Zoo, Caughall Road, Upton-by-Chester CH2 1LH, UK Clinic for Zoo Animals. Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
R Zingg
Affiliation:
Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; Zürich Zoo, Zürichbergsrasse 221, 8044 Zürich, Switzerland
P Ossent
Affiliation:
Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 268, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
U Eulenberger
Affiliation:
Clinic for Zoo Animals. Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
M Clauss
Affiliation:
Clinic for Zoo Animals. Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
JM Hatt
Affiliation:
Clinic for Zoo Animals. Exotic Pets and Wildlife, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: h.steinmetz@chesterzoo.org
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Abstract

Traditional husbandry practices for the public display of Callitrichidae involve strict separation of animals and public. An important consideration for the evaluation of such management is the occurrence of health problems and potential zoonotic risks. This study compared animal data and veterinary records from a captive, free-roaming population of golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) with a population housed under indoor management. The captive, free-roaming group grew significantly faster than the indoor-housed group, as less animals died and offspring were more successfully weaned. No differences in the causes of death were detected between the two husbandry practices. However, bacterial diseases were most common and diagnosed significantly more often under indoor management. This study suggests that the captive, free-roaming management of golden-headed lion tamarins can be conducive to increased reproductive success, improved health and improved welfare. Therefore, current husbandry recommendations for captive, free-roaming conditions were supported by the findings of the present study as a valuable housing practice where health regulations and proper husbandry parameters permit.

Keywords

animal welfarediseasegolden-headed lion tamarinhusbandryreproductionzoonosis
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , May 2011 , pp. 205 - 210
Copyright
© 2011 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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