Effect of human visitors on captive serval cats (Leptailurus serval)

Mohamad, Nor Azreen (2017) Effect of human visitors on captive serval cats (Leptailurus serval). [Project Paper] (Submitted)

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Abstract

Serval cat or Leptailurus serval can be found throughout sub-saharan Africa, populating areas near water source. Nowadays, serval cats are gaining popularity to be kept as exotic pets. The objective of the study is to document the behaviour of the serval cats in captivity, and to know whether there is any effect of human visitors on their activities and behaviour. The study was conducted at Zoo Negara Malaysia, Jalan Ulu Kelang in Selangor, at the serval exhibit area. Two serval cats; an adult female and a young female from the same enclosure were taken as the subjects for this study. This study was done by means of visual observation using behavioural index adapted from previous studies of cats’ family. An instantaneous sampling was done during the zoo’s opening hour for six hours, which was split into two sessions which was from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m., and from 1.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. A total of 24 hours observation was carried out over 4 days, from 1st February to 4th February 2017. While another observer observed the servals behaviour and spatial use, another observer recorded the visitors count on the exhibit. The servals enclosure was divided into 4 areas which were area A for resting, area B which is an open area, area C which is a wall for the servals to hide, and area D which is the feeding and hiding area. Data was analysed using Excel and SPSS. Specifically, non-parametric tests like Mann-Whitney U and Spearman’s correlation were used. Generally, the cats spent most of the day sleeping with rolling-over being the least behaviour observed. The result indicated that the diurnal activity of the captive cats during visiting hours at Zoo Negara has a negative correlation between the visitor count, and aggression, rolling, walking, alert, resting awake, grooming, and yawning. A positive correlation though, was indicated by sleeping and with the subjects being out of sight. However, only aggression is statistically significant and shows a strong positive correlation to the visitors count. This could be explained the flight response shown by the servals, which is similar to the behaviour of domestic cats. With regards to the spatial use by the servals in the enclosure during the visiting hour of the insitution, the result shows that both servals spent about 85% of their time in area A, followed by 15% in area D, and area B. None of the servals made use of area C. There was no correlation between the visitors count and the spatial use of the servals. In conclusion, the visitors count do not have any effect towards the behaviour of the servals.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Depositing User:	Ms. Nordeena Abdul Aziz
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2023 04:07
Last Modified:	13 Feb 2023 04:07
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/740

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