Captive-born collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae) fails to discriminate between predator and non-predator models

Magno de Faria, C; de Souza Sá, F; Costa, DDL; da Silva, MM; da Silva, BC; Young, RJ; Schetini, CA

Abstract

Captive animals may lose the ability to recognize their natural predators, making conservation programs more susceptible to
failure if such animals are released into the wild. Collared peccaries are American tayassuids that are vulnerable to local
extinction in certain areas, and conservation programs are being conducted. Captive-born peccaries are intended for release into
the wild in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. In this study, we tested the ability of two groups of captive-born collared
peccaries to recognize their predators and if they were habituated to humans. Recognition tests were performed using models of
predators (canids and felids) and non-predators animals, as well as control objects, such as a plastic chair; a human was also
presented to the peccaries, and tested as a separate stimulus. Anti-predator defensive responses such as fleeing and threatening
displayswere not observed in response to predator models. Predator detection behaviors both from visual and olfactory cues were displayed, although they were not specifically targeted at predator models. These results indicate that collared peccaries were unable to recognize model predators. Habituation effects, particularly on anti-predator behaviors, were observed both with a 1-h model presentation and across testing days. Behavioral responses to humans did not differ from those to other models. Thus, if these animals were to be released into the wild, they should undergo anti-predator training sessions to enhance their chances of survival.

Citation

Magno de Faria, C., de Souza Sá, F., Costa, D., da Silva, M., da Silva, B., Young, R., & Schetini, C. (2018). Captive-born collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae) fails to discriminate between predator and non-predator models. Acta ethologica, 21(3), 175-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-018-0298-3

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 20, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Aug 27, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 27, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 6, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 27, 2019
• Journal: acta ethologica
• Print ISSN: 0873-9749
• Electronic ISSN: 1437-9546
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 175-184
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-018-0298-3
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10211-018-0298-3
• Related Public URLs: https://link.springer.com/journal/10211
• Additional Information: Funders : CAPES;Vallourec;Science without Borders; Grant Number: 88881.064952/2014-01