Effects of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of captive great green macaws (Ara ambiguus)

The great green macaw is a species threatened by extinction and classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Thus, ex-situ maintenance plays a significant role in the conservation of this species and can be considered an insurance against extinction. Ex-situ conservation programmes are required to ensure high standards of animal welfare increasing in this way the probability of successful reintroductions. Captive animals are predisposed to chronic stress because of the lack of environmental stimuli, in their absence, the exhibition of natural behaviours is impaired and abnormal behaviour and stereotypes may arise, hence compromising their well-being. High levels of welfare can be achieved through environmental enrichment, an essential management tool that helps to improve the quality of life of captive animals stimulating the expression of typical normal behaviour and reducing behaviours indicative of dysfunction. This study aims to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment techniques on the behaviour of ten captive great green macaws (Ara ambiguus), held at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, Costa Rica. The study consisted of two experimental phases: baseline, where no objects were introduced in the enclosure and enrichment phase, where four types of enrichment items were tested: feeding, cognitive, physical and sensory. Parrots’ behaviours were recorded 5 days per week, for a total of 5 weeks (one week for the baseline and four for the enrichment). Scan sampling and instantaneous recording (every 15 seconds) were used. The results showed a significant decrease in Rest and a significant increase in Locomotion and Feeding. These findings have traditionally been correlated with improved animal welfare. However, macaws did not show interaction with physical and sensory enrichment, suggesting that is likely they had a preference towards food items, provided by feeding and cognitive enrichment, but also neophobia towards novelty could be the cause. Moreover, “Pecking objects” showed an increase during the enrichment phase. Further investigation is needed to clarify these issues. It was not possible to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on abnormal behaviours and stereotypes since they were recorded in neither of the two phases, anyway, is very likely that they were underestimated. Overall, this study demonstrates that environmental enrichment has the potential to recover normal behaviours and thus improving the quality of life of macaws.