Benefits of naturalistic free-ranging primate displays and implications for increased human–primate interactions

Abstract

We evaluated three forms of primate free-ranging displays at Singapore Zoo, each with varying restrictions on ranging area and freedom for the primates, as well as visitor proximity. The cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), the white-faced saki (Pithecia pithecia), and the orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) displays illustrated differences in primate visibility to visitors, visitor–primate proximity, frequency of visitor–primate interactions, visitor crowd size, and responses. Amongst the three free-ranging displays, the cotton-top tamarins offered the highest visibility, closest proximity between visitors and primates, highest interaction levels, and attracted the largest crowds. However, undesirable interactions occurred most between the cotton-top tamarins and visitors. We found consistently positive visitor perceptions (total n = 464) of all three primate displays in terms of visitor enjoyment (> 95%); naturalistic zoo experience (> 95%); learning experience (> 90%); and the promotion of good welfare (> 90%). Increasingly naturalistic displays of animals in zoos through the free-ranging of animals can have considerable benefits for both zoo visitors as well as animals, and is a display concept that deserves implementation on a wider scale. Design and implementation of such displays should, however, achieve a balance to maximise display value and animal welfare while curtailing the effects of undesirable human–primate interactions through the restriction of visitor–primate proxi…