Social Network Analysis as a Tool in the Care and Wellbeing of Zoo Animals: A Case Study of a Family Group of Black Lemurs (Eulemur macaco)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Social network analysis (SNA) has the potential to be a vital element of a holistic animal care toolbox, which allows in-depth examination of the social roles of individuals and the dynamics at a group level. By studying a case study of a group of four (1.1.2) black lemurs (Eulemur macaco) living in human care at a zoo in the United Kingdom, the potential for SNA as a practical tool in assessing animal wellbeing is presented. SNA of the lemur group revealed patterns of female dominance, with one individual male being the most frequent target of aggressive interactions from the group. Using this technique, animal caregivers can identify social pressures, monitor social dynamics and dominance, and examine causes of suboptimal social wellbeing among the individuals living in their care. Understanding the social networks of individual groups can facilitate improvements and interventions to the benefit of individuals, groups, and wider populations. ABSTRACT: Social network analysis (SNA) is an increasingly utilised technique in the literature examining the social structures and organisation of animals and understanding the bonds between groups and individuals. Using a case study as an illustration, the applications of SNA are explored, including the identification of dominance hierarchies and detection of sources of social pressure, with a particular focus on the applications of SNA to holistic assessments of animal welfare alongside other methods. Based on the examination of social dynamics in a family group of four black lemurs (Eulemur macaco), a primate whose social organisation is characterised by patterns of female dominance, it is demonstrated that SNA can be used to examine the affiliative and agonistic interactions between individuals living in human care. SNA showed species-typical forms of female dominance that were largely directed towards the two males, characterised by the initiation of aggressive interactions and male submission. More intricate relationships and consistent social roles across networks were revealed through the examination of SNA. It is concluded that SNA has wide-ranging benefits in the assessment of effects of environmental changes, such as informing social management decisions, developing enrichment and intervention programs, and guiding overall improvements to the housing and care of individual animals. SNA, as part of an animal welfare toolbox, could, therefore, be a pivotal technique for modern animal welfare assessment that considers individual animals and their social lives. By sharing a case study of the technique in use, it is hoped that animal collections may adopt similar modern and evidence-based assessment methods.