Understanding Temporal Social Dynamics in Zoo Animal Management: An Elephant Case Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Zoo animal management can lead to disruption in social groups and poor individual welfare. Animals who display natural fluctuations in their wild social structure may be more difficult to cater for within zoos. The proactive management of animal social groups has potential implications for the positive welfare of individuals. Here, we used elephants as a case study to enhance the understanding of potential group dynamics in zoo animal social groups. Social interactions were defined as positive physical, positive non-physical, negative physical or negative non-physical. Data were collected over 12 months to investigate temporal dynamics in social networks. Positive social interaction networks were more interlinked than negative interaction networks. Social networks were fluid, but they did not follow a seasonal pattern. The results demonstrate the importance of understanding social networks and social behaviour over extended periods of time. Consideration of temporal changes in social relationships will enable and support evidence-based management. Such management will lead to the improved welfare of socially housed zoo species, through increased understanding and the recognition of the impact of management actions on welfare. In order to ensure the welfare of managed animals is not impinged by husbandry routines or breeding programmes, management must be led by knowledge of social relationships. ABSTRACT: Zoo animal management procedures which lead to changes to social groups can cause disruption in social hierarchies and the temporary breakdown of social relationships. Animals have different roles in social networks. Understanding individual positions in social networks is important for effective management and ensuring positive welfare for all animals. Using elephants as a case study, the aim of this research was to investigate temporal social dynamics in zoo animals. Behavioural data were collected between January 2016 and February 2017 from 10 African and 22 Asian elephants housed at seven zoos and safari parks in the UK and Ireland. Social interactions were defined as positive physical, positive non-physical, negative physical or negative non-physical. Social network analysis explored social relationships including the fluidity of networks over time and dyadic reciprocity. Social interaction networks were found to be fluid but did not follow a seasonal pattern. Positive interaction networks tended to include the entire social group whereas negative interactions were restricted to specific individuals. Unbalanced ties were observed within dyads, suggesting potential inequalities in relationships. This could impact on individual experiences and welfare. This research highlights subtle temporal dynamics in zoo elephants with the potential for species-level differences. Similar temporal dynamics may also be present in other socially housed zoo species. This research thus provides evidence for the importance of understanding the social networks of zoo animals over longer periods of time. Understanding social networks enables pro-active and evidence-based management approaches. Further research should seek to identify the minimum sampling efforts for social networks in a range of species, to enable the implementation of regular monitoring of social networks and thus improve the welfare of social species under human care.