Evaluación del enriquecimiento ambiental en tortugas: Impacto en su comportamiento y bienestar
Date
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Volume Title
Publisher
Rev. Inv. Cs. Agro. y Vet.
Abstract
El impacto del enriquecimiento ambiental en el comportamiento y bienestar de tortugas en cautiverio en el Centro de Paso de Fauna Silvestre de la Universidad Agraria del Ecuador. El objetivo fue analizar las diferentes estrategias de enriquecimiento físico y alimenticio influyen en la conducta y adaptación de diversas especies de tortugas. La metodología consistió en un diseño experimental longitudinal, observando a 27 tortugas durante tres fases: antes, durante y después de la aplicación de enriquecimientos, registrando variables como alerta, exploración, alimentación, descanso e interacciones sociales mediante etogramas. Los resultados mostraron un aumento significativo en el comportamiento exploratorio durante la fase de enriquecimiento, especialmente en Trachemys scripta (34%) y Chelonoidis carbonaria (41%). Además, especies como Kinosternon leucostonum y Trachemys scripta prefirieron camarones congelados (81%). Tras retirar los enriquecimientos, la exploración se mantuvo elevada en algunas especies. Se concluye que el enriquecimiento ambiental mejora la adaptabilidad y reduce el estrés, recomendándose su implementación continua en centros de rescate y rehabilitación.
The impact of environmental enrichment on the behavior and well-being of captive turtles at the Wildlife Transit Center of the Agrarian University of Ecuador. The objective was to analyze how different physical and nutritional enrichment strategies influence the behavior and adaptation of various turtle species. The methodology consisted of a longitudinal experimental design, observing 27 turtles during three phases: before, during, and after the application of enrichments, recording variables such as alertness, exploration, feeding, resting, and social interactions using ethograms. The results showed a significant increase in exploratory behavior during the enrichment phase, especially in Trachemys scripta (34%) and Chelonoidis carbonaria (41%). Furthermore, species such as Kinosternon leucostonum and Trachemys scripta preferred frozen shrimp (81%). After the enrichments were removed, exploration remained high in some species. It is concluded that environmental enrichment improves adaptability and reduces stress, and its continued implementation in rescue and rehabilitation centers is recommended.
The impact of environmental enrichment on the behavior and well-being of captive turtles at the Wildlife Transit Center of the Agrarian University of Ecuador. The objective was to analyze how different physical and nutritional enrichment strategies influence the behavior and adaptation of various turtle species. The methodology consisted of a longitudinal experimental design, observing 27 turtles during three phases: before, during, and after the application of enrichments, recording variables such as alertness, exploration, feeding, resting, and social interactions using ethograms. The results showed a significant increase in exploratory behavior during the enrichment phase, especially in Trachemys scripta (34%) and Chelonoidis carbonaria (41%). Furthermore, species such as Kinosternon leucostonum and Trachemys scripta preferred frozen shrimp (81%). After the enrichments were removed, exploration remained high in some species. It is concluded that environmental enrichment improves adaptability and reduces stress, and its continued implementation in rescue and rehabilitation centers is recommended.
Description
Vol. 9, No. 26
Keywords
Adaptación al cambio climático, Bienestar animal, Comportamiento, Enriquecimiento ambiental, Rehabilitación, Tortugas en cautiverio, Climate change adaptation, Animal welfare, Behavior, Environmental enrichment, Rehabilitation, Captive turtles, Adaptação às alterações climáticas, Bem-estar animal, Comportamento, Enriquecimento ambiental, Reabilitação, Tartarugas em cativeiro