Enclosure choice and well-being in giant pandas: is it all about control?

Abstract

Behavioral and hormonal data were compared for four giant pandas in two management conditions: (1) panda confined to exhibit area and (2) panda given choice to move freely between exhibit and off-exhibit bedroom areas. Pandas displayed fewer signs of behavioral agitation and lower urinary cortisol in the free choice condition. Time active did not differ between the two conditions. These results suggest that simply offering pandas free access to alternative locations can improve behavioral and hormonal variables that may be related to well-being. Zoo Biol 0:1–7, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.