Social and biological behaviors of captive chimpanzees in Turkey

Chimpanzees, which are the closest relatives of human beings living among the great apes, stand out in primatology studies in terms of their morphological and behavioral similarities. Although long-term observations on chimpanzees firstly began in nature, studies in modern zoological gardens and research centers have enabled the development of knowledge about primates. However, there is not any study that aims to understand the behavior of captive primate species in zoological gardens in Turkey. In this context, the first goal of this study is to determine biological and social behavior patterns of zoo-housed chimpanzees that have been sheltering in zoological gardens in Turkey. Six chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) sheltered in Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoological Garden (FYZoo) were observed using ad libitum and focal sampling techniques to determine their social and biological behavior. The ethogram prepared for this purpose was formed with 21 behaviors. The collected data was evaluated by comparing the behavior patterns of chimpanzees in natural habitats with the studies conducted with captive primates. Three of the chimpanzees were living by themselves in the separated cages. Because of their rehabilitation process, they were named as Isolated Group. Furthermore, the other three chimpanzees living together in the exhibited area were categorized as a Family Group. The second main output of the study was the formation of the Isolated Group, which was once again isolated by being separated from the captive chimpanzee community, Family Group. In this way, the behavioral differences between living together captivity and separated captivity were compared. Observed behaviors; play (7.9%), human interaction (8.4%), active (11.7%), inactive (14%), agonistic behavior (1.7%), feeding (31.9%), abnormal behavior was categorized as behavior (5.9%), altruistic behavior (11.5%), and other behaviors (7.2%). These findings are in parallel with the results of observations in other zoos in vi the literature. The most significant difference between Family and Isolated group members was observed in abnormal behaviors. Accordingly, the abnormal behavior observed in the Isolated group was found to be three times higher than the abnormal behavior of the Family Group. Altruistic behaviors showing the existence of social relations of chimpanzees living in nature or captive have never been observed in the Isolated Group. Keywords: primatology, ethology, chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, zoological garden