Document Type
Thesis
Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2019
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Primate Behavior
Committee Chair
Mary Lee Jensvold
Second Committee Member
Lori K. Sheeran
Third Committee Member
Sofia Blue
Abstract
Sound exposure can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects on humans, but effects on nonhuman primates are not as well understood. Captive chimpanzees are exposed to markedly different acoustic environments than their wild counterparts. This study assessed the organic soundscape of a chimpanzee sanctuary, the Fauna Foundation, in Carignan, Québec, Canada. Noninvasive, observational data collection assessed for frequency of behavior and correlations between chimpanzee behavioral categories, arousal level, and decibel level. Agonistic behavior occurred more frequently in the highest decibel level category. There was a positive correlation between decibel level and arousal level. These findings suggest the need for increased awareness of sound exposure within chimpanzee sanctuaries, as heightened acoustic environments induce stress. This study has implications for captive welfare regulations, enclosure construction, husbandry routines, and zoo environments.
Recommended Citation
Coffman, Grace, "The Effect of Sound on Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)" (2019). All Master's Theses. 1199.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/etd/1199
Language
English