A zoo visitor effect as a factor of animal welfare in the case of lions Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758)

The paper is devoted to the study of the influence of visitors (a visitor effect) on the behavior of lions Panthera leo in three Russian zoos (Moscow, Yaroslavl and Sochi). Large aviary and shelters availability have been shown to be important factors of animal welfare. This allows the animals to independently regulate the level of stimulation from zoo visitors. All animals changed their behavior with an increase in the number of visitors near the enclosures. At the same time, the trends of this dynamics differed. Thus, in the Yaroslavl and Moscow zoos, where animals were kept in large enclosures, lions did not show stereotypical behavior, the presence of visitors aroused interest of animals and an increase in their motor activity was observed. In the Sochi zoo, lions were kept in a small enclosure, these animals showed stereotypical behavior, the level of which increased in the presence of zoo visitors. In the temporary budgets of lions in the Yaroslavl (average 82,3%) and Moscow (average 87,5%) zoos, inactive forms of behavior prevailed, while in the Sochi zoo – stereotyped activity (average 46,9%).