Do prey-animals in zoos need predators?

Abstract: Today is one of the goals with zoos to conserve endangered species and some animals may also become reintroduced. But behaviours can change in generations of captive animals because of environments that differ from the wild. Animals must then be prepared before being reintroduced and predator training enhances the animal’s chance to survive in the wild. When training animals to avoid predators it is often necessary to use frightening stimuli. However, it has been shown that experienced demonstrators improve unexperienced juveniles’ learning about predators. These juveniles also seem to be more successful in reintroductions. In zoos enrichments are used to provide animals with natural environments and possibilities to perform natural behaviours. But in order to keep natural behaviours that could be advantageous in future reintroductions, specific anti-predator behaviour programs should be developed. But programs for retaining such natural behaviours can be in conflict with ethical principles and animal welfare. This makes it more important to carefully plan and evaluate anti-predator behavioural programs. Using visual models could be one approach when designing enrichments, this because prey-animals seem to have an innate system for recognizing predators visually.