PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
In wild brown bears, likely factors triggering hibernation response to harsh environmental conditions are temperature, photoperiod, and food resources availability. In fact, constantly fed captive brown bears are described as skipping hibernation being active all year-round. Is the hibernation response so flexible and subordinate to contingencies, or else is an adaptation that, if dismissed, may negatively impact on bear well-being? This study investigates the potential hibernation response in captive brown bears under unvaried management conditions using an integrative approach simultaneously analyzing multiple animal-based variables together with environmental covariates. Data from a mid-latitude zoo revealed distinct behavioral, fecal glucocorticoids, and body condition score seasonal fluctuations, resembling natural hibernation cycles, despite constant food access. Environmental variables like photoperiod and visitor numbers significantly influenced activity levels. Bears exhibited behaviors indicative of hyperphagia and fall transition, such as appetitive feeding and denning behaviors. Hormonal analyses revealed high fecal cortisol metabolites levels during hyperphagia, suggesting physiological responses to seasonal changes. Findings underscore the importance of environmental cues and food availability in shaping zoo bear behavior and physiology. Considering that the hibernating vs. non-hibernating description might represent an oversimplification, management strategies should deal with captive bear potential need to freely express their adaptive predispositions by accommodating their natural behaviors, such as providing denning spots and adjusting diet composition as soon as typical hyperphagic and predenning behaviors emerge, ultimately enhancing their well-being.
摘要：
在野生棕熊中，触发对恶劣环境条件的冬眠反应的可能因素是温度，光周期，和食物资源的可用性。事实上,经常喂食圈养的棕熊被描述为全年活跃的跳过冬眠。冬眠反应是否如此灵活和服从突发事件，或者是一种改编，如果被解雇,可能会对熊的福祉产生负面影响？这项研究使用综合方法同时分析多个基于动物的变量以及环境协变量，研究了在不变的管理条件下圈养棕熊的潜在冬眠反应。来自中纬度动物园的数据揭示了不同的行为，粪便糖皮质激素，和身体状况评分季节性波动，类似于自然的冬眠周期，尽管不断获得食物。光周期和访客人数等环境变量显着影响活动水平。熊表现出指示食欲不振和跌倒过渡的行为，如食欲喂养和拒绝行为。激素分析显示，在饮食过多期间粪便皮质醇代谢产物水平高，提示对季节变化的生理反应。研究结果强调了环境线索和食物供应在塑造动物园熊行为和生理方面的重要性。考虑到冬眠与非休眠描述可能代表过度简化，管理策略应处理圈养熊的潜在需求，通过适应他们的自然行为来自由表达他们的适应性倾向，例如，一旦出现典型的超嗜好和早熟行为，就提供饮食斑点和调整饮食成分，最终提高他们的福祉。
