Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens

We quantified how exhibit design and routine management shape behavior and space use in captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). Using a species-specific ethogram, scan sampling and focal follows on adult females housed in a modern zoo exhibit, we estimated time budgets, mapped space use across depth-defined zones, and modeled behavior sequences as first-order transition networks. Locomotion dominated activity (swimming/active travel), with resting and enrichment-related behaviors next most frequent; social and play behaviors occurred at low but non-negligible rates. Seals showed clear depth preferences, concentrating active swimming in deeper zones and using liminal/shallow areas for rest. Transition graphs revealed stable, low-entropy loops (e.g., swim → turn/pace → swim) consistent with repetitive locomotor routines, while enrichment and feeding windows temporarily diversified sequences and increased exploration. Overall, integrating time budgets with Markov-style transition analysis and spatial heatmaps provides a compact welfare-oriented dashboard: it identifies where exhibit depth and refuge availability support positive behavioral diversity, flags repetitive cycles as targets for enrichment, and offers actionable metrics to evaluate husbandry changes over time. Full article

The Botanical Garden of Southern Federal University (SFedU Botanical Garden) is the first botanical garden in the steppe zone of southern Russia, founded in 1927. The priority task of the SFedU Botanical Garden was the introduction of woody plants for greenery and forestry. It has been shown that the introduction of woody plants was the root cause of their invasion in the region. A total of 24 species of invasive trees and shrubs have been identified in the Priazovsky district of the Rostov region. Using species with high seed reproductive capacity and resistance to climatic factors to expand the range of woody plants used for greenery in urban areas poses a real threat of invasion. Thus, 83 species spread spontaneously from the SFedU Botanical Garden collections across its territory, 50 of which are not currently found in the regional culture. An important step in the management of invasive woody plants is for municipalities to adopt basic assortment lists for greening purposes. The SFedU Botanical Garden’s collection policy for woody plants should focus on reducing the number of species in living plant collections by removing species that self-seed and currently have no scientific, educational, or practical use. These species can be stored in a seed bank for future use. The introduction policy of the SFedU Botanical Garden should be aimed at mobilizing and introducing species that are not only highly resilient and effective in providing ecosystem services, but also possess properties that limit their invasion. Full article

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the main pollinators of many plant species, particularly agricultural crops. The concern over Colony Collapse Disorder of bee colonies in recent years necessitates the use of new approaches for their conservation in in situ and ex situ conditions. Modern techniques for cryopreservation of drone spermatozoa allow for the preservation of their genetic diversity. Some of the challenges in the field of cryopreservation are the alterations induced by the low temperatures, including morphological disruptions, plasma membrane integrity, formation of reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation, loss of motility, mitochondrial activity and viability, early hyperactivation, depletion of proteins from the acrosome region, premature capacitation, reduced sperm–oocyte fusion, and the occurrence of other cellular cryoinjuries. The objective of the current study is to contribute to the ongoing efforts in identifying substances added to semen extenders aimed at inhibiting cryogenic-induced changes. Our study investigates the impact of antioxidant supplements, scilicet vitamins C, vitamin E, and L-carnitine, on attenuating the adverse effects of cryogenic storage on drone spermatozoa. Using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of various antioxidants added to the extender in maintaining sperm motility parameters following liquid nitrogen storage. The data indicated significant differences in sperm traits among treatments with supplements after post-thawing. These findings emphasize the advantageous contribution of these added antioxidants within semen extenders for drone spermatozoa in preserving sperm quality parameters. The establishment of novel protocols for cryogenic storage of honey bee drone spermatozoa, incorporating low-cytotoxicity additives, is of utmost importance for the conservation of this endangered species. Full article

Zoological establishments have five main roles: education, conservation, recreation, research, and provision of positive welfare to exhibited and housed animals. This review highlights the effect direct human–animal interactions had on the non-human animals’ physical and psychological wellbeing in relation to short- and long-term education and conservation engagement and action. The literature was reviewed from worldwide English sources, which focused on welfare, direct animal interactions, and alternative provisions. With over 700 million visits made to zoological establishments annually, only USD350 million in funds were reported to be reinvested into conservation efforts worldwide, with the true outcome and impact of this effort unknown. Currently, the main focal area is recreation, with 75% of those surveyed (N = 1241) worldwide found to offer direct human–animal interactions. This review takes a holistic approach to human–animal interactions and highlights key opportunities that are missed in the delivery method of these. Worldwide, direct human–animal interactions during the last 30 years have had no to limited regulations. Organisations such as Pan-Africa Association of Zoos and Aquaria and British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria aim to regulate and monitor welfare, breeding, and husbandry within collections; however, joining is entirely voluntary. This has led to only 13 zoological establishments in Africa accredited under PAAZA, compared to over 100 establishments accredited under BIAZA in the United Kingdom. This review highlights that clear training plans need to be implemented before and during human–animal interactions with particular focus on feeding time demonstrations, CGI models, film rooms, and no-contact interactive areas. Further research needs to quantify the significance of the taxonomy used in direct interactions. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a well-studied condition characterized by increased insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction and amyloid deposition in the pancreatic islets. The condition is best understood in humans and veterinary species such as the domestic cat but is poorly described in zoo animals. A 16-year-old male binturong (Arctictis binturong) at Mandai Wildlife Reserve presenting initially for a left forelimb tremor was noted to have hyperglycemia (23.86 mmol/L; RI 2.93–18.94), with concurrent glucosuria, which persisted over 2 weeks. The animal was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus based on serial biochemical and urinalysis results and ultrasonography. No pharmaceutical treatment was instituted. Over 4 years the animal developed other age-related changes and was euthanized based on a declining quality of life. Postmortem investigation including histological examination found diffuse islet amyloidosis of the pancreas, consistent with T2D as seen in other species. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published case report of type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatic amyloidosis reported in the binturong. The popularity of the species in zoological institutions and long-term implications of the disease warrant further attention. Further research may be directed toward establishing diagnostic values in binturongs, as well as options for medical management. Full article

Botanical gardens promote the conservation of native species of the sites where they are located, showing the importance of preserving native flora. It is common to find invasive alien species (IAS) established intentionally or accidentally in these sites. In a patch of native vegetation within the Cadereyta de Montes Regional Botanical Garden, the removal of the invasive alien Asphodelus fistulosus was carried out and during a subsequent 108-month period. The repopulation of the species was supervised by removing new individuals at each visit. More than 1000 individual plants of A. fistulosus were removed during the entire monitoring period, and through subsequent visits, no new individuals have been spotted. The monetary cost associated with the removal, monitoring and control of A. fistulosus was calculated over MXN 15,000.00. The removal and post-removal monitoring of species at sites of interest provide valuable information about control time and economic costs to consider in the control of IAS. Additionally, the germination experiments carried out with seeds from different years of collection showed a higher germination percentage that was not affected by the age of the seeds. Full article

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (sea buckthorn) is a key multipurpose shrub of Eurasia valued for its ecological resilience, nutritional properties, and economic importance. This study examines the regenerative capacity, cold tolerance, productivity, and vegetative propagation efficiency of H. rhamnoides populations originating from East Kazakhstan and maintained at the Altai Botanical Garden (ABG). Between 1981 and 2024, five natural populations (Kendyrlyk, Kaindysu, Tersayryk, Shetlasty, and Karatal Sands) were evaluated under both natural and introduction conditions. A total of 68 clonal forms were propagated and assessed for longevity, yield stability, and morphological traits. The results demonstrated high ecological plasticity and adaptation to the sharply continental climate of East Kazakhstan, withstanding winter temperatures of −38 to −44 °C without damage. Long-lived genotypes (up to 32 years) exhibited consistent productivity, yielding 3.7–14.5 kg per plant (4.6–17.5 t/ha). Large-fruited cultivars such as ‘Yubileinaya Kotukhova’, ‘Shetlastinka’, and ‘Asem’ reached fruit masses up to 95.8 g of 100 berries. Vegetative propagation by green cuttings proved highly effective, with rooting rates up to 90% when treated with HB-101, exceeding control treatments by 14.7%. Stable thickets formed by root suckers persisted for nearly four decades, confirming strong clonal stability and adaptive capacity. These findings underscore the significant potential of H. rhamnoides germplasm from East Kazakhstan for breeding cold-hardy, high-yielding cultivars suited to continental climates. This research highlights the importance of ex situ conservation at ABG and provides a foundation for further genetic, biochemical, and breeding studies aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of this ecologically and economically valuable species. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of primates. This study applied 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, aiming to investigate the differences in gut microbiota composition and function between captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in different zoos across the north–south demarcation line in China. Results revealed significant differences in gut microbiota composition between northern and southern groups. Alpha diversity indices were higher in the southern group (p < 0.05), while beta diversity analysis showed distinct clustering based on geographic location (p < 0.001). Bacteroidetes were more abundant in the northern group (49.22% vs. 28.44%), while Firmicutes predominated in the southern group (59.10% vs. 32.78%). Functional prediction analysis indicated higher levels of membrane transport and lipid metabolism pathways in the southern group, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that geographic location and associated environmental factors significantly influence the gut microbiota of captive ring-tailed lemurs, even under similar dietary and husbandry conditions. Our study provides insights into the impact of geographic location on gut microbiota in captive primates, highlighting the importance of considering regional factors in zoo animal management and informing future strategies for optimizing the care and conservation of captive primates across different geographic regions. Full article

Rivomarginella morrisoni is a freshwater snail endemic to Thailand, yet its behavioral ecology remains poorly understood. This study described the feeding behavior of R. morrisoni, focusing on its foraging activity, behavioral patterns, and food detection mechanisms under laboratory conditions using specimens collected from four river basins in central Thailand. Daily monitoring revealed nocturnal emergence, peaking between 21:00 and 22:00 h, with stable rhythms established 72 h post-feeding. Feeding trials revealed a preference for aged shrimp over fresh or decayed ones. Behavioral observations confirmed that food localization in R. morrisoni was mediated by chemical cues. Light–dark tests indicated a slight tendency toward darkness, but no significant phototactic response was observed. These findings suggest that R. morrisoni is a generalist scavenger with chemosensory-driven foraging and nocturnal activity. Its apparent sensitivity to habitat disturbance underscores the relevance of behavioral studies for informing future conservation and captive breeding efforts. Full article

This paper evaluates botanical gardens in terms of their potential for tourist valorization, aiming to identify the garden with the highest tourist appeal and integration opportunities within the tourist market. Based on a literature review and established attractiveness criteria, a methodological framework using multi-criteria decision-making was developed to compare and rank the botanical gardens. The empirical part of the study focuses on botanical gardens in Split–Dalmatia County, including six gardens evaluated across nine criteria. Eight local tourism experts assessed the importance of these criteria and the gardens’ performance. The fuzzy SiWeC (SImple WEight Calculation) method was used to determine the importance of each criterion. The fuzzy TOPSIS method (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) was used to measure the potential of botanical gardens. The main results obtained with this approach showed that the most important criteria are C4—Visitor content and C3—Biodiversity conservation. The Botanical Garden of Primary School Ostrog has the greatest potential, followed by the Botanical Garden Split. All observed botanical gardens have excellent tourist potential, with minimal differences in ranking among them. These findings demonstrate that botanical gardens play a key role in diversifying the tourist offer, reducing seasonality, and increasing the overall attractiveness of destinations. They also contribute to raising environmental awareness and emphasizing the importance of nature conservation and sustainable development, aligning with the increasing tourist interest in natural and ecologically responsible experiences. This study offers practical insights, as the results can assist garden management, tourism communities, and policymakers in developing and promoting strategies. Additionally, the framework proposed can be applied in other regional and international contexts. Full article

The Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico (MAVM), home to more than 20 million inhabitants, faces intense urban and industrial pressures that have led to habitat loss, fragmentation, and a decline in native vegetation. Within this context, botanical gardens are key institutions for ex situ conservation, ecological restoration, education, and cultural preservation. This study proposes the establishment of a collection of native and endemic ornamental plants in the Botanical Garden of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán (FESC-UNAM), the only botanical garden located in an industrial zone of Mexico. To design this proposal, we conducted an extensive review of taxonomic, floristic, ethnobotanical, and horticultural literature, with special reference to the Flora Fanerogámica del Valle de México, and complemented it with exploratory field visits. The resulting collection comprises 35 native species across 26 families, including 17 endemic species, all adapted to xerophilous scrubland. The discussion highlights that beyond aesthetic value, many species have medicinal and cultural significance, strengthening the link between biodiversity conservation and social engagement. We conclude that this proposal enhances the dual role of the FESC Botanical Garden in preserving regional flora and promoting sustainable alternatives for urban landscaping in industrialized environments. Full article

This study investigates the applicability of the Japanese forest education model, exemplified by the Whole Earth Nature School (WENS), to environmental education programs within urban parks and botanical gardens. Focusing on WENS’s approach—characterized by immersive natural experiences, innovative facilitation techniques, and support from interdisciplinary educator teams to foster independent thinking through experiential learning—the research identifies three transferable insights: (1) Reorienting educational philosophy to prioritize nature-based learning for holistic development, particularly within urban green spaces; (2) Developing localized curricula that leverage the unique ecological resources of specific park and garden environments; (3) Establishing dedicated professional development systems for educators focused on site-based pedagogy. The findings demonstrate that adapting the forest education model can significantly enhance environmental education initiatives in urban parks and botanical gardens, which offers actionable strategies for integrating experiential nature learning into their educational planning. Full article

In southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum), pant calls are well-studied contact vocalisations, whereas the function of frequently emitted snorts remains unclear. We conducted playback experiments with 15 rhinoceroses at three European zoos. The first experiment tested responses to conspecific versus heterospecific snorts, comparing pulsed and non-pulsed acoustic structures. The second experiment contrasted conspecific snorts with conspecific pants from males differing in age and faecal testosterone metabolite (fTM) levels. Behavioural responses—including body orientation, approach toward loudspeaker, locomotion, and vocalisations—were analysed. Snorts, regardless of sender species or pulsation, elicited uniformly low-intensity responses, suggesting limited communicative function. In contrast, pants evoked significantly stronger responses depending on sex and group setting. While males showed increased locomotion, females vocalised more, reflecting the species’ social dynamics. Individuals tested alone displayed overall heightened vigilance and vocal activity compared to those tested in pairs, emphasising the role of social context. No evidence was found for discrimination between pant calls differing in fTM levels. Our findings reinforce the communicative relevance of pants in conveying social cues while indicating that snorts may either lack species-specific acoustic markers or not be socially salient. Playback experiments thus appear as valuable tools for assessing acoustic communication in zoo-housed mammals. Full article

The species of the Bufonidae family exhibit a great diversity of habitats, diurnal or nocturnal habits, a complex evolutionary history, and a wide distribution, which makes this group suitable for morphological studies. In this work, we aimed to identify the existence of morphological patterns related to the habitat use and diurnal or nocturnal habits of Bufonidae in the Brazilian Amazon. To achieve this, we studied the morphological measurements of 210 specimens from three zoological collections and characterized the type of habitat and diurnality/nocturnality of the species. The morphological patterns and habitat use were investigated through principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), respectively. The evaluation of the relationships between morphological variation, habitat use, and diurnality/nocturnality was performed via redundancy analysis (RDA). Accordingly, Amazonian bufonids were divided into three morphological groups associated with different vegetation types and environments, demonstrating that body size is closely linked to diurnal or nocturnal life habits and habitat. Species with large body sizes are associated to anthropized areas, while intermediate and smaller species are associated with primary forests. Full article

Amphibian welfare, particularly pain assessment in anurans, remains understudied despite their ecological and biomedical significance. This study aimed to identify and validate operational pain indicators for adult anurans under professional care. A four-phase approach was used: a systematic literature review, expert validation with risk analysis, field validation in a zoological facility, and development of a preliminary pain index. From 158 publications, 16 potential indicators were identified, encompassing behavioural, clinical, and physiological signs. Expert evaluation by 28 professionals from 12 institutions refined this to seven indicators, achieving over 60% consensus: feeding behaviour changes, abnormal behaviour, impaired locomotion, oedema, reduced movement, retained skin post-moulting, and altered respiration. Field validation in 53 anurans confirmed high observability and ease of measurement, with feeding behaviour changes and oedema scoring highest for practicality (93.5% and 93.0%, respectively). These validated indicators provide a science-based foundation for routine welfare monitoring, enabling timely interventions. Their integration into husbandry protocols can enhance ethical standards, improve conservation outcomes, and increase public confidence in amphibian care, paving the way for a standardised anuran pain index. Full article

In recent years, animal welfare scientists working in professionally managed settings have increasingly focused on promoting resilience to enhance the quality of life of individual animals. Resilience—defined as an animal’s capacity to be minimally affected by a disturbance or to rapidly return to the physiological, behavioral, cognitive, health, affective, and production states that pertained before exposure to a disturbance—involves various systems and dynamic processes. There is evidence that resilience can be measured using a suite of species-specific indicators, including both behavioral measures and physiological biomarkers. These indicators should be tracked for individuals of the same species over time and across various conditions, events, and experiences. Large-scale, multi-institutional studies allow welfare scientists to collect cross-sectional data to identify “resilient phenotypes” for the species of interest. Ultimately, the focus should be on improving outcomes for individual animals as they face particular stressors, challenges, and environmental disturbances over their lifetime. Animal care specialists play a crucial role in helping animals build resilience by providing opportunities to engage in cognitive challenges, stimulating environments, and species-appropriate social interactions. This review defines resilience for animal welfare scientists, as well as discusses how to measure and promote resilience in animals residing in zoos and aquariums. Full article

Although long neglected, sound is now an increasing topic of interest in zoo and aquarium science. Research has examined the impact of sounds, from various sources, on zoo-housed species, noting that the influence of sound is varied and very context specific. The zoo’s sound environment is influenced by the animals, the built environment, vegetation, climatic, temporal and seasonal factors, equipment use, husbandry practices, and human presence. Different sounds can dominate an enclosure at certain times. This article discusses a workshop involving 12 zoo professionals, held in March 2020, that explored how sound is considered or overlooked in zoo animal management. Although insights are based on a small group, limiting generalisability, the findings highlight areas where further understanding is required and should encourage research extension to other groups of stakeholders. Delegates emphasised that the auditory needs of animals are often underappreciated and that the influence of sound depends on the species involved and how the sound may be perceived. Delegates highlighted the importance of species- and individual-specific approaches, predictability, and how animals have (any) control over sounds experienced in their enclosure. Routine operational sounds, such as closing gates or doors, may inadvertently stress animals, suggesting the need to consider sound in enclosure design and husbandry schedules. Outputs also stated that sound, when carefully managed, can act as enrichment through (for example) structured auditory cues or naturalistic sounds if ecologically relevant. Overall, our findings support integrating sound measurement into broader welfare assessment frameworks and enclosure planning, and they identify practical applications including sound mitigation, enrichment strategies, and staff training. Future research should include a wider range of species (especially understudied taxa), consider the experiences of a wider stakeholder demographic, and evaluate how sound is management in complex or high-traffic areas of the zoo. Full article

This study investigates the impact of a gamified educational experience on the training of future teachers, focusing on a visit to the Natural History Pavilion at the University of Almería, compared to a traditional instructional approach. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design was employed with both undergraduate and master’s degree teacher education students, combining quantitative analysis with complementary data. The findings indicate that participants in the gamified groups demonstrated significant gains in knowledge acquisition following the visit, as well as higher levels of appreciation for the activity itself. This study concludes that gamification cognitively enriches the museum learning experience and stands out as an innovative and pedagogically relevant strategy in teacher education. Full article