The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented lockdowns with rippling impacts on the lives of humans and animals alike. Since zoos were among the first institutions to close during the pandemic, the lockdowns presented the opportunity to conduct a natural experiment examining the relationship between visitor presence and the welfare of zoo-housed animals. In this study, we assessed the welfare of six Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) at Toronto Zoo both during and following the pandemic lockdowns. We compared behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare during a lockdown and after visitors were reintroduced. Specifically, if the orangutans’ welfare was affected by the visitor re-introduction phase we predicted there would be an increase in the following measures: (1) use of exhibit areas away from visitors; (2) behavioural measures (hiding, self-directed behaviours, agonistic behaviours, agitated movement, and idiosyncratic object-directed behaviours [head slamming, and fabric tearing]); and (3) physiological measures (faecal consistency and glucocorticoid metabolites) when compared to the lockdown. We also measured changes in activity levels such as foraging and inactivity. We found that orangutan exhibit space use did not change when visitors were reintroduced. In fact, the orangutans hid less when visitors were introduced than during the lockdown. Foraging, inactivity, and other behavioural indicators of stress did not change when visitors were introduced. Similarly, neither faecal consistency nor glucocorticoid metabolites changed across the study phases. Our data show that visitor re-introduction did not negatively affect the welfare of the Toronto Zoo orangutans. However, the presence of keepers was found to affect the behaviour of the orangutans and warrants further study.

Neurology and psychiatry have long been divided as subspecialities of medicine. However, the symptom overlap in central nervous system illness is unmistakable. Medical science has evolved, necessitating a neuropsychiatric approach that is more comprehensive. This editorial briefly outlines the history of neurology and psychiatry and the movement towards a new paradigm.

The adjustment period — wherein adopted animals transition to their new home — is a critical time for animal welfare and owner satisfaction, yet literature varies in estimates of how long this period lasts in dogs. This study sought to better characterise the adjustment period in relation to owner experience and canine welfare and clarify its duration as perceived by owners. We used a qualitative approach to examine owner perceptions of duration and their experience of the adjustment period. Twenty-seven interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic content analysis. Six themes were described: adjustment period duration; behavioural indicators during adjustment; behaviours indicative of adjustment; factors influencing adjustment; owner change in routine; and adjustment concerns. Over half of participants perceived the adjustment period to last longer than four months. Behaviours used by owners to assess dog adjustment included: moderation of behavioural extremes (e.g. lethargy and restlessness); play; tail wagging; greeting; and learning their routine. Owners reported that prior experiences and medical needs impacted the adjustment duration, that they adjusted aspects of their lifestyle, and raised concerns about being the right fit for their dog. Future research should incorporate a longer time-frame to better understand how and when dogs adjust to a home, and as there is variation in dog behaviour during adjustment, it must also account for individual differences. As we develop a better understanding of how to characterise this period, adopters can be better prepared for the initial months of dog ownership, and interventions can be individualised to improve owner experience and dog welfare.

Preterm birth exposes the neonate to hypoxic-ischaemic and excitotoxic insults that impair neurodevelopment and are magnified by the premature loss of placentally supplied, inhibitory neurosteroids. The cerebellum is a neuronally dense brain region, which undergoes critical periods of development during late gestation, when preterm births frequently occur. We propose that neurosteroid replacement therapy using tiagabine and zuranolone will protect the cerebellum against preterm-associated insults. Guinea pig dams received c-section surgery preterm (gestational age (GA) 64) or at term (GA70) with preterm pups administered tiagabine (2.5 mg/kg/day), zuranolone (1 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (15% β-cyclodextrin) until term equivalent age (GA70). Behavioural testing was performed at corrected postnatal day 8 (PND8) and PND41 with tissue collection occurring at PND42. Neurodevelopmental markers (MBP, OLIG2 and NeuN) were assessed within the cerebellum by immunohistochemistry, whilst GABAergic and glutamatergic pathway expression was quantified using high throughput RT-PCR. Zuranolone and, to a lesser extent, tiagabine were able to protect against hyperactive behaviour at PND8 in males, whilst in females, a less marked hyperactive phenotype was present with neither treatment impacting behaviour further. Both treatments improved MBP staining, whilst tiagabine was found to restore oligodendrocyte maturation in females only. GABAergic and glutamatergic pathway expression was found to be restored by both treatments in females. Overall, this study demonstrates the neuroprotective attributes of neurosteroid replacement therapy using tiagabine and zuranolone, thereby demonstrating their potential to mitigate long-term neurodevelopmental impairments. Furthermore, the sexually dimorphic effects observed suggest future investigations may show increased benefit by using sex-specific treatment regimes.

Stochastic actor-oriented models (SAOMs) can be used to analyse dynamic network data, collected by observing a network and a behaviour in a panel design. The parameters of SAOMs are usually estimated by the method of moments (MoM) implemented by a stochastic approximation algorithm, where statistics defining the moment conditions correspond in a natural way to the parameters. Here, we propose to apply the generalized method of moments (GMoM), using more statistics than parameters. We concentrate on statistics depending jointly on the network and the behaviour, because of the importance of their interdependence, and propose to add contemporaneous statistics to the usual cross-lagged statistics. We describe the stochastic algorithm developed to approximate the GMoM solution. A small simulation study supports the greater statistical efficiency of the GMoM estimator compared to the MoM.

Acanthocephalans are obligatory endoparasites that often alter the phenotype of their invertebrate intermediate host to facilitate trophic transmission to their final vertebrate host. Acanthocephalus anguillae, a widespread parasite of European freshwater fishes and isopod Asellus aquaticus, was recently discovered also in Postojna-Planina Cave System (Slovenia) parasitising olms (Proteus anguinus) and cave populations of A. aquaticus. This setting offers a unique opportunity to investigate potential fine-tuning of parasitic manipulations to the specifics of the highly divergent subterranean environment where some common phenotypic alterations lose functionality, but others might gain it. We measured three behavioural traits: movement activity, shelter-seeking, and response to light of infested and uninfested isopods from surface and cave populations. All behaviours were quantified from 1-h video-recordings via video-tracking isopod’s movement in empty or custom modified (half-sheltered/half-illuminated) Petri dishes. Infested isopods of both populations spent significantly less time sheltering and were significantly less photophobic than uninfested ones, whereas the activity of isopods was not altered. However, we observed almost no cave-specific responses upon infestation in the two altered behaviours. It seems phenotypic alterations are not particularly fine-tuned to the subterranean environment and its hosts, and likely still reflect the parasite’s surface origin.

The successful survival of crocodilian hatchlings is largely dependent upon nest care by females. Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand how environmental degradation affects nest site selection and parental behaviour in female crocodilians. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the relationship between anthropogenic disturbances and nesting behaviour in free-living broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris). We compared nests in a disturbed and a non-disturbed area, and anticipated differences in nest density, hatching success, female size, egg number and biomass, and parental care behaviour. We monitored 44 nests over four years in Brazil, covering 58.25 km, in a disturbed area (n = 8) and a non-disturbed area (n = 36). According to our findings, nest density was significantly higher in the non-disturbed area (1.31 nests per linear km) compared to the disturbed area (0.25 nests per linear km). However, there was a significantly higher frequency of parental care behaviour (86%) in the disturbed area compared to the non-disturbed area (34%). The other factors studied showed no statistical difference between the two areas. The results indicate that females prefer to nest in healthier, preserved environments, away from anthropogenic disturbances. Yet, presumably at the cost of extra energy expenditure, increased parental care appears to buffer against a reduction in hatching success. Despite the behavioural buffer, the clear preference for non-disturbed nesting and nursery locations underscores the need to identify and protect the remaining non-disturbed areas inhabited by these animals. Our findings suggest that these measures should positively impact the welfare and protection of C. latirostris and other crocodilian species.

Since the emergence of psychological and behavioural science, one of its foundational goals has been to explain human behaviour. Although the discipline has been highly successful in this endeavour, there is an elephant in the room. Psychological and behavioural science has neglected studying the most challenging aspect of human behaviour−transformative behavioural change. This change can be described as a fundamental and difficult-to-achieve shift in someone’s actions that involves a transformation of one’s way of living. Understanding transformative behavioural change is essential not only for psychological and behavioural science to accomplish its foundational goal but also to maintain its contemporary relevance. Indeed, it is imminent that both solving the world’s biggest issues (e.g., climate change) and living through major disruptions (e.g., technological revolution) will require people to transform their behaviour. In this perspective, I first review and discuss previous relevant research, and then propose a seven-step agenda for how psychological and behavioural science can become the science of transformative behavioural change.

Post-racing thoroughbreds (TBs) are increasingly being considered for Equine Assisted Services (EAS), but their use has not yet been widely characterised. This study aimed to generate detailed data on TBs and other breeds (OBs) of horses in EAS via an online survey. The survey was completed by 129 EAS practitioners from 15 countries and reported detailed data on 427 EAS equids, including 57 TBs. Most of the EAS horses were housed collectively, had access to free exercise over 12 h per day and had unrestricted access to forage. The most commonly recorded selection criteria for EAS horses consisted of: demonstrating a good personality; enjoying the work; absence of propensity to kick/bite. Detailed data gathered on individual horses showed that in comparison to OBs, TBs were younger, more likely to be a gelding, less likely to be used in ridden programmes, and tended to present more behavioural issues than OBs. The majority of the participants agreed that TBs have specific assets of particular interest to EAS programmes, such as sensitivity, body/movement characteristics or responsiveness/flight response. Finally, a large majority of participants reported that they believe TBs to be suitable for EAS programmes and some would consider working with them. These results showed TBs to already be in use in various EAS programmes and more could be incorporated in the future. In terms of animal welfare and beneficiaries’ safety, a selection process could therefore be designed and implemented to choose the most adapted horses for each EAS centre, according to living conditions and EAS activities practised (ridden or not ridden).

In-farm livestock production vaccinations are commonly delivered intramuscularly using needles. While there are alternative strategies these have been subject to little attention and limited commercialisation. One such alternative is needle-free vaccines and studies have focused on the immune response few have addressed the welfare implications. This study aims to compare the impact of intradermal needle-free vaccination and intramuscular injection in terms of the welfare of the piglets. A total of 179 piglets were divided into two treatments: intradermal needle-free delivery and intramuscular delivery of a vaccine. Measures of health and welfare included, vocalisations, behavioural observations, papule formation, and weight. Piglets vaccinated via the needle-free intradermal route vocalised less and displayed no significant behavioural differences but showed increased weight compared to piglets vaccinated intramuscularly. The use of a needle-free device to deliver a vaccine through an intradermal route revealed no adverse effects on piglet welfare and supports the use of alternative strategies to vaccinate livestock.

The Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List but little is known about its status in Nepal. Although indirect sign surveys have reported its presence in several community forests in Kavrepalanchok district, no photographic or video evidence has previously been documented. We used camera traps to investigate the occurrence of pangolins in 20 community forests in Panauti Municipality in Kavrepalanchok. A total of 75 0.01 km2 plots were surveyed using camera traps during September 2022–February 2023, with a total survey effort of 803 trap-days. The cameras recorded a total of 16 individual video footage events of Chinese pangolins in six of the community forests. This is the first camera-trap evidence of the species' presence in these forest patches, and in Kavrepalanchok district. The pangolins displayed behaviours such as sniffing, gathering plant material and digging, between 18.00 and 1.00. The camera-trap records provide more accurate species identification and reliable information than indirect sign surveys, indicating camera traps are a useful surveying tool for rare, nocturnal and elusive pangolins.

Investing in the sexual and reproductive health of young adults can directly and indirectly contribute to accelerated economic growth. Looking beyond individual determinants of sexual behaviours and focusing on cultural factors such as ethnic affiliation are crucial for interventions and programme planning, particularly in a context like Nigeria. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design, this article explores the associations between ethnic affiliations and protective sexual behaviours of young adults in Nigeria. The quantitative data was derived from a representative sample of 1,393 male and female youth aged 16–24 years in three states purposively selected from three regions in Nigeria, while qualitative data was based on 18 focus groups and 36 in-depth interviews. The quantitative data was analysed using frequency distributions and regressions, while content analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive results showed that abstinence was higher for Hausa (80%) young adults compared with Yoruba (72%) and Igbo (68%) young adults. Condom use was lowest for Hausa (56%) young adults compared with Igbo (80%) and Yoruba (81%) young adults. The effect of education on abstinence differed by ethnicity and living with two parents was associated with a higher likelihood of abstinence among youth in all ethnic groups. Fear of early fatherhood and unplanned pregnancy was a prominent reason for protective sexual behaviour among Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa young adults. The findings from this study show that young adults who engage in protective sexual behaviours may identify different rationales for this behaviour based on their ethnic background. Programme planners interested in promoting and encouraging protective sexual behaviours should recognize these multiple reasons across different ethnic affiliations to scale up and sustain existing interventions.

Here, we report the first sighting records of Bryde's whales in Nicaragua. Four sightings were made in 2022 during boat-based surveys off the southwestern coast of Nicaragua. Photo-identification, distributional data, dive times, and behavioural information were collected, and environmental parameters, including sea surface temperature, were measured for each sighting. Sightings included calf and non-calf groups displaying travelling (n = 1; 25%), milling (n = 1; 25%), and suspected feeding (n = 2; 50%) behaviours. Approximately 4 h of focal following allowed the calculation of short and long breath intervals. Based on our observations, the individuals were suspected of feeding in the area, based on the presence of feeding birds, feeding humpback whales, relatively high time-lagged chlorophyll-a, and observed general behaviours. Our findings indicate that this species may occasionally visit Nicaraguan coastal areas in search of feeding opportunities, and could represent a possible range extension of the Eastern North Pacific stock.

Regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is an appraisal tool to bring evidence to bear on regulatory decisions. A key property of RIA is that is corrects errors in reasoning by pushing regulators towards deliberative thinking to override intuitive judgments. However, the steps for regulatory analysis suggested by international organisations and governmental handbooks do not handle two sources of bias and barriers that are well documented in the literature on behavioural insights. First, bias enters the process via knowledge production during the analytical process of assessment. Second, bias affects knowledge utilisation when regulators “read” or utilise the results of RIA. We explore these two pathways by focusing on drivers of behaviour rather than lists of biases. The conclusions reflect on the limitations of current practice and its possible improvement, making suggestions for an RIA architecture that is fully informed by behavioural analysis.