The Effect of Sound on Captive Chimpanzees (<i>Pan troglodytes</i>)

<p>Sound exposure can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects on humans, but effects on nonhuman primates are not as well understood. Captive chimpanzees are exposed to markedly different acoustic environments than their wild counterparts. This study assessed the organic soundscape of a chimpanzee sanctuary, the Fauna Foundation, in Carignan, Québec, Canada. Noninvasive, observational data collection assessed for frequency of behavior and correlations between chimpanzee behavioral categories, arousal level, and decibel level. Agonistic behavior occurred more frequently in the highest decibel level category. There was a positive correlation between decibel level and arousal level. These findings suggest the need for increased awareness of sound exposure within chimpanzee sanctuaries, as heightened acoustic environments induce stress. This study has implications for captive welfare regulations, enclosure construction, husbandry routines, and zoo environments.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Primate Behavior

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Coffman, Grace

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Lee Jensvold
• Lori K. Sheeran
• Sofia Blue

• Captive welfare
• Pan troglodytes
• sound exposure
• decibel
• Biological and Physical Anthropology
• Other Animal Sciences

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/1199

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.cwu.edu:etd-2190