Evaluation of Non-Human Primates’ Welfare in Captive Sites of Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/jwc.v2i1.7172Keywords:
Non-Human, Primates, Captive, Management, Body Condition Score, WelfareAbstract
In other to evaluate the welfare of non-human (NH) primates in captive sites of Cameroon, the body condition scoring (BCS) technique was used to score the NH primates present in two sanctuaries (the Mefou Primates Sanctuary “MPS” and the Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre “SYCRC” and two zoological gardens (the Limbe Wildlife Centre “LWC” and the Mvogbetsi Zoo Botanical Garden “MZBG”). A total of 633 NH primates (223 “35.2%” in LWC, 277 “43.8%” in MPS, 61”9.6%” in MZBG and 72”11.4%” in SYCRC) were found in these captive sites. They were composed of 16 different species; 2 Apes (Gorillas and Chimpanzees), 3 Papionines (Drills, Mandrills and Baboons), 3 Mangabeys (Agile, Red cap and Gray chicked) and 8 Guenons (Crown, Putty nosed, De braza, Mustached, Red tail, Preus, Patas and Tantalus). Chimpanzees were the most abundant (36.3%) species, while Debraza and Preuss guenon (0.3% each) were the least abundant. It was noticed that the captive sites category and the housing facilities of these captive NH primates had an impact on their welfare. The NH primates in sanctuaries had better mean BCS (4 – 5) compared to those living in zoos whose mean BCS ranged between 3 - 4. Concerning the housing of the NH primates, those living in natural enclosures had the best mean BCS (5). Those in enriched habitats followed with a mean BCS ranging between 4 and 5 while hose in un enriched habitats had the least mean BCS (3). It was also notice that NH primates housed in groups of 6 – 10 had the best BCS (5) compared to other group sizes. Meaning very large groups and very small groups had negative impact on their welfare. Keepers were found to influence the BCS of NH primates under their care in the sense that, keepers with higher level of education, keepers at the adult age group and keepers that had spent between 6 – 10 years in the captive sites had NH primates with the best mean BCS (4 -5). This shows that the environment of NH primates, their group size, and the keepers taking care of them are very key factors to the well-being of these primates. Captive sites have to take these aspects in to consideration so as to replicate the management, the biome and the niche of captive NH human primates such that it reflects that in the wild. This will permit them to express most of their natural potentials even though they are in captivity.
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