One way to investigate what animals in captivity   might need is to conduct preference and motivational tests. These types of   tests can help facilitate the animals to express different priorities. The   motivation can be assessed by having the animals “pay an entry cost” (e.g.   push a weighted door) that increases with time to get access to a resource.   The highest price that the animals are willing to pay for this resource is   called “the maximum price paid”. This study intends to test the maximum price   paid to access for food in a group of bush dogs kept at Kolmården Wildlife   Park. A simple choice test consisting of four different food items (meat,   fish, vegetables and fruit) was first conducted to establish which resource   the bush dogs preferred. The results showed that meat and fish were the   preferred food items. Secondly, a push-door test was conducted to measure the   maximum price paid for the preferred food item. At the most, one individual   was willing to lift 11 kg (twice its weight) to get access to meat.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Univ., 2005. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

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Behavioural shifts, or changes in behaviour patterns, are an often-overlooked aspect of ecological invasions and range expansions, that can nevertheless be key in determining how and why a species may or may not succeed in their expansion process. We looked at aggressive behaviour in a small insectivore passerine species, the collared flycatcher, on the island of Öland, where it is undergoing a range expansion to the detriment of the native, ecologically similar, pied flycatcher. We found collareds to react more aggressively to simulated intrusions by conspecifics rather than heterospecifics, consistent with previous research on the matter, as well as an increased aggressiveness on later days in the season. We also found a pattern hinting towards an effect of habitat quality on territory defence, with increased aggression on higher quality patches. There was no simple geographic signal in levels of aggression within this population, and we discuss the complex factors interacting to determine aggressive behaviour in this species, including the invasion front itself.

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<p><strong>The escalating extinction of wildlife puts a high pressure on the standard of ex situ conservation. Some animals may spend several generations in captivity which may affect their natural behaviors and also a future reintroduction into the wild. Observations of animal behavior among captive animals are crucial for the understanding of ex situ conservation effects on behavior and in order to introduce and improve environmental enrichment. This study investigates activity and enclosure use of a sand cat (<em>Felis margarita</em>) at Parken zoo in Eskilstuna Sweden. Direct observations of behavior and movements were carried out and audience impact was also analyzed. The sand cat in the present study showed no behavioural response to the audience but it had some effect on his location in the enclosure. I also found that he was more active during late afternoon after feeding time and that he slept most during the forenoon. He used the whole enclosure to some extent but he spent most of his time in the cave, the front and the middle of the enclosure. Although he did not show any typical stereotypic behavior he had some odd habits that could probably be prevented through environmental enrichment. </strong><strong></strong></p>

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