Human-animal relations: the case of two primate species kept at Warsaw Zoo.

Human – animal relations: the case of two primate species kept at Warsaw Zoo. In this work authors tried to compare in visitors of Warsaw Zoo attraction of two primate species: the tufted capuchin monkey (Cebus paella) and the hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas). The other aim was to estimate the effect of visitors on animal activity. Number, sex and age of visitors was determined. Special scales to measure the whole monkey group activity were also elaborated. The exhibit of hamadryas baboon attracted more visitors than capuchin monkey and greater number of behaviour acts directed to animals was also recorded there. Pointing at animals and laughter turned out to be the most frequent behaviour types of visitors. The sex of visitors had more pronounced effect on the their behaviour that an age. The effect of visitor number on the activity of whole group of monkeys was signifi cant in both primates. This study should be supplemented by the detailed observation of primate behaviour.