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Non-invasive methods for sex and steroid homones determination in gibbons of the genus Nomascus
Bolechová, Petra ; Bartoš, Luděk (advisor) ; Pavel, Pavel (referee)
The gibbon primates of the family Nomascus are classified as critically endangered species, and, to date, basic understanding and information about their biology is missing. With regard to the status of these animals in the wild and captive populations in zoos, being familiar with their reproduction, may improve captive breeding programs. Data collection in this study was to be carried out by the practical use of non-invasive methods (polymerase chain reaction for DNA extraction and enzyme immunoassays), using faecal samples for analysis. The first method, polymerase chain reaction, was used for sex determination in juveniles, because of their coat colour and visual similarity of secondary sex characteristic in both sexes; it is not possible to determinate sex without handling the animal. Another main purpose of this study is to try and answer the hypothesis regarding the ovarian cycle of females, factors influencing their hormone concentration and also the onset of sexual maturity in females and the timing of their fur colour change. Hypotheses were checked by monitoring the concentration of progesterone and oestrogen faecal metabolites and by evaluation of the composition of breeding groups of gibbons with the ZOO influence. During a four year period (from 2010 till 2014), there were a total of 51 animals analysed from 16 different zoos with a faecal sample count totalling 1618 samples. The results confirmed the use of noninvasive methods for sex determination, and thus ensuring the maximum welfare standards. Endocrinological analysis confirmed the hypothesis of the influence of the environment (ZOO) to the hormone concentrations and female´s pregnancy effect in conjunction with her age on the final results of the male - father hormone concentrations. The initial information in this study is the confirmation of the onset of ovarian cycle in young females without connection to their fur colour change and a significant factor of a mother´s impact and her territoriality. This study is the first to present a long term monitoring of ovarian cycles in females and hormone concentrations of other individuals, both male and female, and from various age groups. The results allow us to understand the possible impact of zoo environments on the reproductive status of these gibbons and contribute to the general improvement of breeding management.
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Influencing the motivation in the animals training using training logs
Ferencová, Tereza ; Svobodová, Ivona (advisor) ; Bolechová, Petra (referee)
Recently animal training has become a field that is gaining followers and even experts, breeders from all over the world are starting to show interest. One of the important factors that plays a significant role in the training of animals is the level of motivation. There are many motivation techniques available to animal trainers. A number of these techniques focuses on food as a form of motivation. They successfully put to use the recognition that food is one of the most important primary reinforcers. It can fulfill the role of reward, or it can be an element of food deprivation, and also it can serve as a regulator of body weight. Other motivation techniques are based on motivation through a simple exercise, the use of motivation with other animals, or motivating an animal in the form of a basic position. By selecting and applying the correct motivation technique it is possible to achieve a high level of motivation and successful training lessons. With a suitable motivation method trainers can prevent undesirable behavior, which can often be spotted at animals kept in zoos. A key part of each animal training is welfare that ensures appropriate conditions for training and also for the trained animal itself.
With the increasing number of both experts and general interest regarding animal training, the question of keeping records of individual training lessons has emerged. It was the aim of this thesis to evaluate the various training logs known up till now used by experts on animal training.
Individual animal trainers rely on their own training logs that they use during trainings at their workplaces, which is where the training logs are also most frequently created. To gain information about the form of the training logs is no easy matter, and to some extent this issue is one that is not publicized. It would be beneficial if the individual methods of keeping training logs were made public and by doing so a unified training log draft was made. It is not necessary for all animal trainers to pursue the creating of training logs, however, there is no doubt that with their aid the evaluation of the partial or entire effectiveness of individual trainings would be more precise.
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