Aplicação de enriquecimento ambiental para a espécie Tapirus terrestris(Linnaeus, 1758) no Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, em Recife-PE

Abstract

The brazilian tapir, Tapirus terrestris, is a mammal of the family Tapiridae, order Perissodactyla that is currently with vulnerable conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature – IUCN. It is the biggest mammal by weight in South America and have an important ecological role in the ecosystem. Events such as fires and trampling may make it necessary to keep these individuals in captivity. However, this environment does not provide enough environmental stimuli, which can affect the health and well-being of the animals. To minimize these effects, environmental enrichment is an important strategy that increases the complexity of the site. Thus, the objective of this work is to offer different types of environmental enrichment for the tapir, aiming to define in which of them the animal has the longest interaction time. For this, the two specimens present in the Dois Irmãos State Park, in Recife, were used, where four types of environmental enrichment (cognitive, physical, sensorial and food) were applied in its enclosure. With this, a behavioral table was elaborated so that the behavior analysis was carried out and it was evaluated which enrichment technique had the most predilection among the animals. The recording of the individual's behaviors was performed by filming using the Ad Libitium method to quantify the behaviors. The research was divided into three stages, each with a duration of ten days, in which two enrichment techniques were inserted, in the last stage, the types of enrichment where there was more interaction time in the previous stages. Phase 1: Physical and Sensory, Phase 2: Cognitive and Food, Phase 3: Cognitive and Sensory. It was observed that both individuals showed a greater preference for cognitive enrichment.