EUROASIAN REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIA
GOVERNMENT OF MOSCOW
MOSCOW ZOO
Scientific Research in
Zoological Parks
Volume 24
Moscow
2008
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УДК [597.6/599:639.1.04]:59.006
The current issue of Scientific Research in Zoological Parks is dedicated to
different aspects of zoos activities. Traditionally we continue publishing articles on
marine aquariumistics and problems of husbandry and breeding of venomous snakes.
Behaviour of a hybrid swan, influence of visitor number on cheetahs, environmental
enrichment in cheetahs and behaviour of giraffes in different conditions is described.
Problematic article considers the immune status and its changes in lizards after
dehelmintization and subsequent immunocorrection.
Special reviews discuss an experience of husbandry and study of small marsupials
and social life of a captive markhors’ group in the Moscow zoo, and the experience of
keeping and breeding the Russian desman in captivity.
“Information” part presents data on current Combined Small Mammal and Small
Carnivore TAG meeting, Parco Natura Viva (Italy), and 8th International Conference on
Environment Enrichment in the zoos (Vienna). Some materials of International workshop
“Maintenance and breeding of fishes and other marine and freshwater animals” are cited.
The issue is destined for zoo specialists and keepers.
Summary
Kirin M.P., Ponomaryov B.B. The first successful experience of captive
husbandry and breeding of brownbanded bamboo shark in marine aquariummuseum in Sevastopol. A short report about captive husbandry of a rare shark
Chiloscyllium punctatum (Muller et Henke, 1841) and its first successful breeding
at Sevastopol marine aquarium-museum.
Summary
Kudryavtsev S.V., Mamet S.V Ganina L.V. Some successful results in husbandry
and breeding of the rare and hard-to-keep venomous snakes at the Moscow Zoo
(part YIII: 2007-2008 years). The article deals with some results of a continuous
research aimed at developing methods for husbandry and breeding of rare and
difficult species of venomous snakes at Moscow Zoo, conducted especially
intensively lately. Details of husbandry and captive reproduction of species with
restricted areal, such as: banded water cobra Boulengerina a. annulata (Buchholz
& Peters in Peters, 1876), rare subspecies of cascavella Crotalus simus culminates
Petrs & Orejas-Miranda, 1970, hard-to-keep African bush vipers Atheris and Green
Sulawesi pitviper Tropidalaemus subannulatus (Gray, 1842) are given.
Summary
Pavlova E.Yu., Panov E.N. Some observations on the hybrid of Whooper
swan (Cygnus cygnus) and Mute swan (C. olor). In 1989 Moscow zoo got a hybrid
of Cynus cygnus and C. olor from Leningrad Zoo. For the few years (from 2000 to
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2004) this bird stayed in a pair with the C. cygnus female on the “big lake” of the
zoo. These two swans looked like a constant pair although the sex of hybrid bird
was not recognized. We never saw any elements of sexual behaviour aimed at the
Whooper swan female or at some other swans. In general the hybrid bird looked
like a Whooper swan. It was highly aggressive and the motor patterns of its
threatening behaviour looked intermediate between two parental species but with
the prevalence of the Mute swan features. The most usable sound in the repertoire
of the hybrid bird resembled the impulse signal of Mute swan in duration and
frequency infilling. In contrast to this sound the calling one was a noise-type with
an obvious harmonic structure (it was like the signal of Whooper swan but with
very small interharmonic interval). It was shown that such signals were
intermediate between those of parental species. Except this signals some rarely
used sounds were presented in the repertoire of hybrid bird. Those sounds were
very close to some elements of vocalization both the Mute swan and the Whooper
swan.
Summary
Zubchaninova E.V., Dubrovskyi V.Yu. Giraffes’ behaviour under different
keeping conditions. The article represents comparison of enclosure employment
and time budgets of two giraffe males (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata and G.
c. giraffa) approximately of the same age but under different keeping conditions.
Considerable behavioural differences related to enclosure construction, presence
of visitors and group mates and availability of food, has been revealed.
Summary
Zubchaninova E.V. How does visitors’ number affect cheetahs’ behaviour in
different enclosures? Data were collected in 1993 (3 young females and 2 young
males in two enclosures) and 2001 (2 old males and 1 old female in one enclosure)
using point sampling method. In all cases even small rise of visitors’ number
forced animals to move to distant parts of enclosure and reduce their moving
activity. Construction of enclosure, sex and age of animals defined what part of
enclosure cheetahs preferred. More favorable disposal of cheetahs on the territory
of Moscow zoo is discussed.
Summary
Podturkin A.A., Popov S.V, Neprintceva E.S. Environment enrichment for
two cheetahs in Moscow Zoo. The effect of special dogs’ toy on behaviour of two
captive cheetahs (male and female) was tested in the Moscow Zoo. Four or five 30min observation sessions were made daily during animals high activity time (11
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a.m. to 02 p.m.) with interval between sessions at least ten minutes. Every session
consisted of 30 scans with one minute interval. While scanning, the observer fixed
the pattern of behaviour, social contacts and the focus of cheetah’s attention when
it was obvious. Then the result of every session was used as data-point in analysis.
The day with enrichment (experiment) alternated with the day without one
(control). Besides we observed baseline of behaviour before the enrichment began
and post hog period after the enrichment was finished. There were ten days (48
sessions) for baseline, ten days (50 sessions) for experiments, seven days (34
sessions) for control and four days (20 sessions) for post hog comparison.
Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA by ranks,
Spearman rank correlation and Shannon index were used for statistical analysis.
During experiments with the toy cheetahs were more active, their behaviour
was more diverse and they paid more attention to social partner (including
agonistic interaction). No any differences between baseline, control and post hog
behaviour and no any signs of the decrease of interest to the toy during successive
presentations were observed.
Summary
Zhelankin R., Brylina V., Vassiliev D., Pavlov G. Immune status and its changes in
lizards Pseudopus apodus after dehelmintization and subsequent
immunocorrection. In the article, immune status of Pseudopus apodus lizards is
estimated on such indexes as a general amount of lymphocytes, heterophils
fagocitic activity, T and B lymphocytes amount, complement haemolithic activity,
functional activity of B lymphocytes. The changes of these indexes are examined
after dehelmintization and subsequent immunocorrection.
Summary
Kondratieva L., Ilchenko O., Vakhrusheva G. Collection of small Australian
and South American marsupials in the Experimental Department of small
mammals in Moscow Zoo. Collection of small Australian and South American
marsupials exists since year 1996 in the Experimental Department of small
mammals in Moscow Zoo. Altogether 5 species were kept: kowari (Dasiuroides
burnei), grey short-tailed possum (Monodelphis domestica), striped possum
(Dactylopsila Trivigata), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and feathertail glider
(Acrobates pygmaeus). For all species observations took place in order to learn
aspects of their individual and social behavior. Daily records were made.
Husbandry Guidelines were written, which include literary data, our experience in
keeping and breeding of species and results of our research work. The paper
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surveys our research results and includes history of species arrival to Moscow Zoo,
description of our research methods, main results and their discussion. After each
part list of published literature is added. Hopefully our results would be of interest
to our colleagues from other zoos around the World.
Summary
Rutovskaya M.V., Rozhnov V.V. The experience of keeping and breeding the
Russian desman (Desmana moschata L.) in captivity. The Russian desman is the
endemic species of the European part of Russia, which is included in the Red Book
of Russian Federation. There are a lot of difficulties in its study because of its
closed living strategy: it lives in the burrows at the rivers’ banks and it is active
mostly under the water. So, we can study many aspects of desman biology only
while keeping it in captivity but it is a great problem. We need to create a captive
breeding reservation of desmans urgently as its number in nature is quickly
decreasing.
Previous experiences of keeping Russian desman in captivity are discussed
in the article.
In 2004 we continued the study on this species in captivity at Scientific
biostation “Chernogolovka” of Severtzov Institute of ecology and evolution RAS.
We observed 6 pairs of wild-caught desmans from Ryasan region in 2004 and
2005.
Desmans lived in the wood labyrinth – the imitation of its burrows with the
enters under the water. We have one watershed which volume is 800 liters and
several baths which volumes are about 200 liters. We change water as usual twice
a week and use the dry bog moss as a nest material. We maintain the temperature
in the vivarium from 0 to10oC and avoid to be noisy.
Feeding is the main factor that keeps desman in order. The absence of the
balanced and enriched food affects the health dramatically: the hair becomes wet
and animals decrease their activity, gain weight and soon die. Force-meat, boiled
chicken, boiled potatoes and porridge are the main food for desmans. Vitamins A,
D, E and C are the necessary components. We noticed the relationship between the
wetness of hair and amount of the ascorbic acid in the food.
The next problem with captive desmans is their very high activity. Usually
animals sleep for six hours then during six hours they are active: swimming,
investigating, feeding, building the nest and digging. The last may transform into
stereotype activity: desmans for a long time are clawing at one place and may
damage the enclosures and escape.
Water is necessary: it supports the normal temperature of desman body.
Desman defecates in the water. Desmans hide under the water when they are
fearful, so the absence of water results in stress. When desmans are stressed, their
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activity decreases and hair become wet. Animals may die when stressed with loud
noise.
Breeding of desmans is not well investigated that’s why it is a great problem
to breed this species in captivity. Only once V.P. Krasovsky (1954) observed
female with litter, but nobody have repeated this experience. We suppose that
increased weight of animal in captivity compared with its weight in nature may
cause failure of breeding. Social relationships between desmans may be the second
cause, why our attempts to breed these animals have failed. We are to pay more
attention to feeding programs, to medicamental stimulation of breeding desmans,
keeping conditions including amount of the water and necessary degrees of
temperature and lightness and to investigation of social courtship in desmans to
have success in creation the captive reservation of this species.
Summary
Gashinskyi A.V. Social life of a captive group of markhors (Capra falconeri) in the
Moscow zoo. The article summarizes 15-year observations of author on a
markhors’ group in conditions of Moscow zoo. Behaviour of animals during all
stages of annual cycle (period of births and raising of offspring, mating period and
wintering) is discussed with special emphasis on group structure and hierarchic
system. Some aspects which are important for this species captive maintenance are
considered.
Summary
Vakhrusheva G.V., Ilchenko O.G. Combined Small Mammal and Small
Carnivore TAG meeting, Parco Natura Viva (Italy). This spring we participated in
the work of periodic EAZA combined Small Mammal and Small Carnivore TAG
meeting which took place in Parco Natura Viva, Bussolengo, North Italy. More
than 30 specialists from different institutions of Europe took part in the work of
meeting, 15 reports were made giving rise to several lively debates. This article
presents a brief survey of reports. Describing the main principles of PNV
collection and organization of expositions we tried to focus attention on research
fields and educational projects.
Summary
Popov S.V., Neprintseva E.S., Alekseicheva I.A. 8thInternational Conference
on Environment Enrichment in the zoos. Materials of the 8th International
Conference on Environment Enrichment (August 5-10, 2007, Schoenbrunn Zoo,
Vienna, Austria) are reviewed.
Summary
Astakhov D.A. Modern status of coral reef communities and impact of
aquarium trade on the reef ecosystems. Data on the modern status of coral reef
communities of the world and impact of aquarium trade on these ecosystems are
described.
Summary
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Poponov S.Y. Creation of marine invertertebrates and fishes collection in
Moscow Zoo Exotarium. Data on the main stages of formation of Moscow Zoo
marine aquarium, the volume and species composition of marine invertertebrates
and fishes collection are described.
Summary
Poponova V.R. The quarantine of new marine fishes and invertebrates in
Moscow Zoo. Data on a special quarintine zone for adaptation, treatment and
keeping of new marine animals in the Department of invertebrates and marine
fishes of Moscow Zoo are described.
Summary
Makeeva N.V. Aquariums of Kaliningrad Museum of the World ocean today.
The article describes all marine and freshwater aquariums of Kaliningrad Museum
of the World ocean at present time; their inhabitants are listed; future trends of
museum are mentioned.
Summary
Korotkova A.V. Sevastopol Sea Aquarium-Museum. Sevastopol Sea
Aquarium-Museum is one of the oldest sea aquariums of the world. The article
presents briefly its history and current state accenting on traditional specialization
in Black Sea Ichthyofauna.
Contents
Introduction (Instructions for authors)
3
The questions of animals’ keeping, breeding and behaviour in captivity
M.P. Kirin, B.B. Ponomaryov
The first successful experience of captive husbandry and breeding of
brownbanded bamboo shark in marine aquarium-museum in Sevastopol
5
S.V. Kudryavtsev, S.V. Mamet, L.V. Ganina
Some successful results in husbandry and breeding of the rare and hard-tokeep venomous snakes at the Moscow Zoo (part YIII:2007-2008 years)
E.Yu. Pavlova, E.N. Panov
7
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Some observations on the hybrid of Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) and
Mute swan (C. olor).
19
E.V. Zubchaninova, V.Yu. Dubrovskyi
Giraffes’ behaviour under different keeping conditions
30
E.V. Zubchaninova
How does visitors number affect cheetahs’ behaviour in different 36
enclosure?
A.A. Podturkin, S.V. Popov, E.S. Neprintceva
Environment enrichment for two cheetahs in Moscow Zoo.
45
Problematic materials
R. Zhelankin, V. Brylina, D. Vassiliev, G. Pavlov
Immune status and its changes in lizards Pseudopus apodus after
dehelmintization and subsequent immunocorrection.
53
Analytical reviews
L. Kondratieva, O. Ilchenko, G. Vakhrusheva
Collection of small Australian and South American marsupials in the
Experimental Department of small mammals in Moscow Zoo.
63
M.V. Rutovskaya, V.V. Rozhnov
The experience of keeping and breeding the Russian desman (Desmana
moschata L.) in captivity.
77
A.V. Gashinskyi
Social life of a captive group of markhors (Capra falconeri) in the Moscow
103
zoo.
Information
G.V. Vakhrusheva, O.G. Ilchenko
Combined Small Mammal and Small Carnivore TAG meeting, Parco
Natura Viva (Italy).
С.В. Попов, Е.С. Непринцева, И.А. Алексеичева
8thInternational Conference on Environment Enrichment in the zoos.
International training seminar “Keeping and breeding of fishes and
other marine and freshwater invertebrates “
Introduction
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117
126
143
D.A. Astakhov
Modern status of coral reef communities and impact of aquarium trade on
the reef ecosystems.
144
S.Y. Poponov
Creation of marine invertertebrates and fishes collection in Moscow Zoo
Exotarium.
148
V.R. Poponova
The quarantine of new marine fishes and invertebrates in Moscow Zoo.
156
N.V. Makeeva
Aquariums of Kaliningrad Museum of the World ocean today.
160
A.V. Korotkova
Sevastopol Sea Aquarium-Museum
164
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