Animals stressed unexpectedly

[AirToob]

I have a small group of African Buffalo in an enclosure which seems to meet all their needs. Two of them are now "stressed" and have low welfare as a result. The habitat has a mixed population of animals that enrich each other, but only the minimum number of each at present.

There is a viewing gallery alongside the habitat so people can watch the animals, and vice versa.

Zoopedia marks the African Buffalo's relationship with humans as "neutral" rather than "confident". I understand that "shy" animals need one-way glass or other protection, but this is the first time I have had a problem with "neutral" relationship animals.

I fixed this problem with tall one-way glass screens in front of the viewing gallery, but I wasn't expecting to have to do this. (I find that enough ground cover for the animals to hide behind doesn't work well for me.)

Any words of wisdom on this one would be gratefully appreciated!

[KnorKater]

Struggeling with the same thing. My flamingos get stressed all the time, even after putting 1-way glass between them and the guests. No idea what's going on and the game isn't very specific about this stuff.

[Varick]

"Neutral" animals can get stressed if too many guests watching them. At least, I see this my zoo.

[wcjefcoat88]

I had that problem with the flamingos also. Have you tried a habitat building? Something they can go and get away from what ever is stressing them.

[Bullwinkle]

Shut up signs can help. I suspect having enough security guards helps, but I can't prove it. Moms get more stress right before they give birth.

[KnorKater]

Originally posted by wcjefcoat88:

I had that problem with the flamingos also. Have you tried a habitat building? Something they can go and get away from what ever is stressing them.

They do have shelter and retreat to it when stressed. thos this can take a while when they're on water.

Originally posted by Bullwinkle:

Shut up signs can help. I suspect having enough security guards helps, but I can't prove it. Moms get more stress right before they give birth.

Completely forgot about these signs. Time to put them to the test. :)

[AirToob]

I never knew about the signs! Thanks a lot, will try them out.

They seem to be tagged Security Signs Do Not Disturb.

[Livia]

Signs can help, for sure, but it also depends on just how many viewing points there are into the enclosure and guest traffic. Sometimes guests will watch from places you don't expect them to be, not the set up location, so there's more eyeballs on the animal than you know. Look at places around the enclosure and see if people are looking from paths you were not expecting and then block off the viewing on those paths (paths higher up tend to be the guilty locations).

Large enclosures and enclosures near high traffic areas also get a lot of guests, so all the more reason to add some viewing cut offs to avoid more eyes on the animals than you are aware you're getting.

[AirToob]

Originally posted by Livia:

Signs can help, for sure, but it also depends on just how many viewing points there are into the enclosure and guest traffic. Sometimes guests will watch from places you don't expect them to be, not the set up location, so there's more eyeballs on the animal than you know. Look at places around the enclosure and see if people are looking from paths you were not expecting and then block off the viewing on those paths (paths higher up tend to be the guilty locations).

Large enclosures and enclosures near high traffic areas also get a lot of guests, so all the more reason to add some viewing cut offs to avoid more eyes on the animals than you are aware you're getting.

Thanks!

[grampers62]

Some things that cause stress in all animals.
Large groups of viewers is prime cause for shy animals as does too much noise.
For most if the sex ratios are wrong then they will get stress. As an animal is about to give birth they get stressed. When a juvenile is about to mature the other animals get stressed. if there are too many animals in the habitat they will get stressed. This is especially an issue in mixed species habitats.
Things that help.
Do not disturb signs and screening plants for shy animals. Also having a habitat that is large enough for the animals to get away from people. For the others it comes down to proper animal management. The only thing we can't do much about is the birth and maturing issue but those are short lived and normally cause little issue.
Hope that fills in a few blanks for anyone needing help on it.

[Varick]

All of what is said above. Just to add, I find having a necessary item like the water source
behind a screening area works well to draw the animals there before they get overly stressed. They get their water and reduce stress at the same time without waiting to hit the panic button and search for a hiding place.

[AirToob]

Thanks, you guys. Really helpful.