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Articles on Animals in captivity

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As the pandemic winds down, continual surveillance of wild animals is vital to ensure that it doesn’t switch to another sphere of life. Kamil Martinovsky/ shutterstock

COVID infection of three lions and a puma in private South African zoo points to need for wider surveillance

A growing body of research shows that COVID-19 protocols should be extended to areas in which there is a human-animal interface such as zoos, wildlife sanctuaries and game farms.
Eric Trump said his father’s assault-talk, it is just what happens when “alpha personalities are in the same presence.” Here, President Donald Trump walks across the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Are bullies alpha males or sick puppies?

Some recent bad behaviour has been explained as being alpha but the scientist who coined the phrase discredits that theory. Instead, Prof. Sosteric suggests alphas are raised on toxic socialization.
Swimming in synchrony is a fundamental social behaviour for dolphins and is thought to reinforce their bonds. Parc Astérix

Synchronised swimming makes dolphins more optimistic

A new study of captive dolphins has found that those engaging in synchronised swimming make more optimistic judgements about an unknown event.
Devils released back onto the Tasmanian mainland in the next step to fight the deadly DFTD disease. Wildlife Management Branch, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Tasmanian devils reared in captivity show they can thrive in the wild

Some animals bred in captivity often lack the skills needed to survive in the wild. But the Tasmanian devil is showing it’s a natural born killer.
The debate on whether animals should be kept in captivity or not continues to rage on. Reuters/Muhammad Hamed

Carnivores in captivity: a question of motive and ethics

Some say that keeping wild animals in captivity is cruel. Others believe they promote conservation and give people a link to nature.
The royal touch - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, meet Leuca the Koala during a visit to Taronga Zoo, in Sydney, last month. AAP/Dan Himbrechts

How many visitors can a koala bear? Not many, it seems

Everyone loves to get close to a koala. They are an Australian icon and a major ecotourism attraction. A photo with a koala is a holiday must for many overseas visitors. But how well do these celebrity…

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