The next time you visit Vandalur zoo, do not forget to observe the animals feeding together as a group.
Tigers, chimpanzees, lion-tailed macaques and bears, all seem to be happily sharing the feed.
The zoo has implemented a new system called ‘cooperative feeding’, inspired from the wild. In the jungle, the dominant animal in a group eats its share first, before leaving some for the subordinate ones. Eventually, every animal in the group gets its due share.
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In captivity, however, the animals do not belong to a single group, as they are rescued and brought from various places. Therefore, it becomes imperative to introduce the ‘cooperative feeding’ technique, say zoo authorities.
According to K.S.S.V.P. Reddy, zoo director and additional principal chief conservator of forests, this feeding habit has been recorded among primates, reptiles and carnivores in the wild.
In captivity, the same system will be adopted now, and the dominant animal will be fed, followed by the subordinates.
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With this system, the dominant animal pattern is reinforced to elicit cooperative behaviour from the animals rather than aggressiveness.
This system will also allow the subordinate animals to receive their feed, enrichment and the required attention. Also, subordinate animals become less fearful and ready to accept the resources they were previously denied due to the presence of dominant animals, said Mr. Reddy.
The new technique was introduced a couple of weeks ago. Introduction of this system has helped visitors view a number of animals — that would have otherwise been in solitary enclosures — together, at the same time. Before introducing the system, animal keepers were trained on cooperative feeding methods.