Captive giant panda circadian/circannual behavioural data (Mother and cub case study)

Abstract

Circadian and circannual cycles of behavior regulate many aspects of welfare including metabolism, breeding, and behavioral interactions. In this study, we aim to demonstrate how systematically determining circadian and circannual cycles can provide insight into animals’ needs and be part of an evidence-based approach to welfare assessment. We measured and analyzed the observational behavioral data of 13 zoo-housed giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), across life stages and between sexes, each month for one year using live camera footage from six zoos across the world. Focal sampling was completed each month for 12-16 consecutive months to gain an estimate of one circannual cycle. Within each month, we estimated one 24-hour cycle of activity/behavior by conducting one 10-minute observation session each hour the pandas were visible. The data in this dataset is for the mother and cub and therefore includes maternal behaviors as well as regular panda behaviors. This dataset only includes the mother and cub, but the data on the other 11 pandas can be found at this link: http://hdl.handle.net/11667/208. The data on the mother and cub provided insight into how a mother and cub will synchronize their behavior after the first 4 months of a cubs life. It also shows the rhythmicity of maternal behaviors and how they shift across the first year and a half of the cubs life. The identity and location of the pandas is kept anonymous.