Open AccessWe, the disturbing animal: effects of anthropogenic noise in a Brazilian zoo
Author(s) -
Patrícia Ferreira Monticelli,
Ana Carla Medeiros Morato de Aquino,
Bruna Campos Paula
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
tesis psicológica/tesis psicologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2422-0450
pISSN - 1909-8391
DOI - 10.37511/tesis.v17n1a5
Subject(s) - soundscape , animal welfare , locale (computer software) , sound (geography) , geography , event (particle physics) , natural sounds , psychology , ecology , biology , acoustics , computer science , physics , quantum mechanics , operating system
The negative effects of loud anthropic sounds on non-human health and welfare urges attention. We report here the results of a technical study we conducted attending a Public Prosecutor’s request at Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. A Civil Inquiry informed against nocive effects of human concentration on captive and free-living animals around the municipal zoo. The zoo is part of a natural protected area that paradoxically was used as a locale for public festivities. We aimed to compare two weekends, one of a traditional Italian event (EV) and another with no event (NE), and check sound level and behavioral changes in a sample of captive animals and in the soundscape. We employed three procedures: (1) Sound Pressure level (SPL) assessment at different localities; (2) Comparative behavior analysis; and (3) Soundscape description. Our results provided cues of how the festivities may be affecting free-living animals in the APA Morro do São Bento and captive ones. Peak SPL exposure was higher in EV in almost all the localities of the zoo; the six monitored individuals (two ocelots, two crassow, the European cervid and the maned-wolf) changed their activity and resting patterns and the soundscape was more diverse and intense in vocal activity than in NE.