Re-Wilding Experience: Inducing Human-Associated Threats and Anti-Predator Response in Captive Red Pandas at Darjeeling Zoo, India

Aamer Sohel Khan; Pranita Gupta; Joy Dey; Rajendra Jaker

doi:10.36808/if/2023/v149i10/169640

Re-Wilding Experience: Inducing Human-Associated Threats and Anti-Predator Response in Captive Red Pandas at Darjeeling Zoo, India

Authors

Aamer Sohel Khan Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling - 734101
Pranita Gupta Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling - 734101
Joy Dey Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling - 734101
Rajendra Jaker Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling - 734101

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2023/v149i10/169640

Keywords:

Augmentation, Anti-Predator Competency, Defensive Behaviours, Human-Associated Threat, Red Panda.

Abstract

Captive-bred animals are relatively inexperienced to respond to dangers in the wild. The augmentation programmes need to factor in the risk of predation. Captive animals need to be made competent to recognise the potential threats - including human-associated threats for successful augmentation. Four captive red pandas were selected and trained for antipredator behaviour competence and their defensive responses were recorded. The study is first-ever of its kind in the species. Two types of threats were incorporated; human-associated threats and key predator threats. Individuals showed various defensive behaviours; visual scanning (vigilance), flight and attack. The defensive threat; a grunt call and defensive attack; attacking zookeepers were recorded. The study reported a significant increase in vigilance response against the human presence in treatment set as compared to control. The study found an inverse relationship between vigilance and foraging. The study successfully induced required competence in captive-bred individuals to respond to the potential predators including humans. Based on the results this study strongly recommends considering human-associated threats in the anti-predator competency programme for captive-bred endangered species vulnerable to poaching and other human activities.

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