Introduction of a group of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in a new exhibit: behaviour and visitor effect

The conservation of an endangered species held in captivity is possible only if its welfare is guaranteed. Behaviour, a welfare index, may also be affected by the presence of human visitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of Spheniscus demersus (endangered species) specimens transferred from the South Lakes Animal Park (UK) to the Bioparco Zoom (Cumiana, Italy). A large pool is at the disposal of the penguins in their new exhibit; the pool visually communicates with a swimming pool for visitors, from which is separated by two glass windows. In our study, we evaluated both the differences in the time spent by penguins to perform different behaviours and the visitor effect on their pool use. The data collection, carried out on 7 penguins, took place during the months (June-July) of greatest visitor attendance; the sampling period was divided into three time periods of 15 days each (T1, T2, T3). Observations were carried out following the focal animal sampling method. Behaviour patterns are ascribable to 7 behavioural categories: “impassive postures”, “vigilance”, “comfort behaviour”, “allopreening”, “aggressive behaviour”, “locomotion”, and “pool”. The use of the pool by each penguin was measured in relation to the number of visitors located in front of the windows. The number of people in the swimming pool has been indicated in abundance classes from 0 (no visitors) to 3 (more than 30). The observation lasted a total of 84 hours. The results showed a significant difference in the duration of the categories “impassive postures” (p = 0.018), which decreases, and “aggressive behaviour” (p = 0.009), which increases. Use of the pool by the penguins in relation to the number of visitors shows a negative correlation in all three time periods (T1: p = -0.759; T2: p = -0.693; T3: p = -0.296), statistically significant only in the periods T1 (p < 0.001) and T2 (p < 0.001). We can interpret the decrease of inactivity and increase in aggressive interactions of the penguins as an improvement in the welfare of these animals, after an initial phase of acclimatization: the subjects show a more active and less inhibited behaviour. The number of visitors significantly affects the duration of the time spent by penguins in the pool during the first two periods, while in the third period this is influenced to a lesser extent, a result that allows us to hypothesize adaption to human presence.