Exploring the relationship between personality and social interactions in zoo-housed elephants: Incorporation of keeper expertise

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science Vol. 221; p. 104876
• Main Authors: Williams, Ellen, Carter, Anne, Hall, Carol, Bremner-Harrison, Samantha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2019
• Subjects: animal behavior; Elephantidae; females; Gorilla; guidelines; herds; Ireland; Keeper expertise; males; Pan troglodytes; parks; Personality; principal component analysis; questionnaires; social behavior; Social behaviour; social class; Social relationships; United Kingdom; Welfare; zoo animals; Zoo elephants; zoos; United Kingdom; Ireland; Social relationships; Keeper expertise; Personality; Social behaviour; Zoo elephants; Welfare

•Keepers can reliably rate the personality of their elephants.•Elephants exhibit unique personalities and show differing levels of sociability.•Keeper assessments of personality were related to frequency of social interactions. Individual animal personalities affect experiences of zoo environments,...