HOW DO MEERKATS RESPOND TO ZOO VISITORS?

Photo: S. Rokx 

Ever wondered how animals find life in a zoo? Ms Samatha Rokx and Professor Ian Bland from the University of Melbourne investigated the effects of visitor number and noise on the behaviour of captive Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo.

AIMS

The project investigated whether:

• There was a relationship between Zoo visitor numbers and the behaviour of captive meerkats.
• There was a relationship between the volume of noise from Zoo visitors and the behaviour of captive meerkats.

METHODS

The researchers studied the behaviour of Zoos Victoria's four Meerkat populations for two months in winter 2009. During each of the 320 sessions, the researchers recorded Meerkat behaviour every minute for 15 minutes, along with the number of visitors at the enclosure and the volume of noise. The key Meerkat behaviours recorded were ‘sentry' (standing on hind-legs and looking around), ‘rest' (having a rest), ‘foraging' (looking for food) and ‘locomotion' (moving around).

RESULTS 

The researchers found that neither the number of visitors nor the volume of noise had a significant effect on Meerkat behaviour. Surprisingly, the volume of noise was also not related to the number of visitors.

They did find, however, that Meerkats in small groups (5 animals or less) spent a greater proportion of their time on ‘sentry' (regardless of the number of visitors or noise), while Meerkats in larger groups (9 animals or more) spent a greater proportion of their time resting. There was no difference in the amount of time spent on ‘foraging' or ‘locomotion' behaviours between large and small groups of Meerkats. 

CONCLUSIONS

The difference in sentry/resting behaviour with group size means the larger groups of Meerkats can respond to new or dangerous situations by becoming more alert (i.e. more animals on ‘sentry') while still spending lots of time resting. Smaller groups, however, cannot become more alert without significantly reducing the time each individual can spend on other activities. 

The study emphasises the importance of group size on the behaviour of captive Meerkats and their ability to adapt to changing numbers of visitors or noise levels. There is an opportunity for further research into the long-term consequences of increased alertness in small groups of Meerkats.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

- on Meerkats at Zoos Victoria - click here.

- on animal enrichment at Zoos Victoria - click here.