Western Lowland Gorillas(Gorilla gorilla gorilla) By: Michelle Silva and Emma Thurau

ENRICHMENT The midday "enrichment" break was

started sometime on or before Nov 4, 2008 when it was first reported in the observer log. Joan was able to find this information by reviewing the research log books

Enrichment is the provision of food at random times during the day

Effects of enrichment break: does enrichment result in an increase in time feeding/foraging/exploration/locomotion and a decrease in R&R?

HYPOTHESIS

We think enrichment will in fact increase the time the gorillas spend feeding/ foraging/ exploration/ locomotion and a decrease in R&R

MAP OF EXHIBIT

There are three viewing areas in exhibit B

The exhibit contains many areas where gorillas are not visible

KELLY

Only male in exhibit B April 11, 1987

ALAFIA 2nd largest adult in exhibit

B November 30, 1990

EVELYN

Oldest in exhibit B Lean and lanky

build March 07, 1976

RAPUNZEL

Shortest in exhibit B

Fuller belly than Evelyn

February 20, 1984

DATA COLLECTION Observation of each focal animal for 15

minutes Set countdown timer to one minute intervals Each observation was started with a different

focal animal (KERA ERAK RAKE, etc) Sequentially describe the focal animal’s

behavior At each scan record focal animals activity,

location and proximity to the other gorillas Record if a midday feeding occurred

RESULTS

RESULTS

CONCLUSION OF RESULTS There was relatively little data in

2015, graphs go in the right direction but results are not statistically significant. This holds true even when combining 2014 & 2015 data

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Remis, M. (2002). Food preferences among captive western gorillas (gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzees (pan troglodytes). International Journal of Primatology, 23(2), 231-249.

Martin, P. , & Bateson, P. (1993). Measuring Behaviour : An Introductory Guide. Cambridge [England] ; New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.

Lehner, P. (1979). Handbook of Ethological Methods. New York: Garland STPM Press   

Los Angeles Zoo Gorilla Study Protocol and Identification chart

ACKNOWLEGMENTS We would like to thank Dr. Cathleen

Cox, Jo-Ann Krohn, Joan Mead, and Nancy Yen – without whom this experience would not have been possible