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During my time living and working in South Africa, I had the unique opportunity to conduct research on wolves, specifically focusing on how keeper-animal interactions impact the welfare and behaviour of captive Gray Wolves (Canis lupus). As an animal keeper, one of the most important aspects of daily care is the dynamic interaction between humans and animals, a relationship that can affect the physical and psychological health of both participants.
The concept of keeper-animal interaction involves the bonds and communication that occur between zoo keepers and the animals they care for. These interactions can be positive, neutral, or negative, depending on their quality and frequency. Research has shown that keeper attitudes, experience, and behaviour can influence animal welfare, but less attention has been given to how these interactions specifically affect captive Gray Wolves.
The Aims of My Study
The goal of my study was to explore the following:
How the duration of keeper interactions affects the behaviour of wolves.
Whether the frequency of positive or negative wolf behaviours is influenced by keeper interactions.
How the attitudes of keepers towards job satisfaction, animal welfare, and wolves contribute to the overall welfare of the animals.
This research was conducted at a zoo in South Africa between April and May 2018, where I gathered behavioural data from five keepers who had direct contact with the wolves. I also surveyed 17 other zoo keepers using a questionnaire about their job satisfaction, attitudes towards animal welfare, and how they viewed their relationship with the wolves.
Key Findings
The results of my study revealed some fascinating insights:
Interaction Duration: There was a significant difference between the duration of time male and female keepers spent initiating play behaviors with the wolves. Female keepers, in particular, seemed to engage in more play-based interactions.
Behavioural Impact: Both male and female keepers appeared to increase the frequency of affiliative (positive) behaviours in wolves. Play interactions, especially, were found to be important for the social bonding of wolves, suggesting that these interactions are a form of enrichment for the animals.
Keeper Attitudes: The survey results indicated that keepers who worked closely with the wolves showed higher levels of empathy and a deeper understanding of animal welfare. On the other hand, those who did not engage as directly with the wolves displayed lower levels of knowledge and experience, which in turn appeared to impact the welfare of the animals.
Presenting my Research on Gray Wolves
I had the privilege of presenting my findings at The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) research conference, where my research gained attention, and I was encouraged to submit my work to the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), Canid and Hyaenid TAG newsletter.
While it’s been a few years since I left Nottingham Trent University, the research, knowledge, and experience I gained have shaped my career and led me to start my dog walking and pet sitting business. One of the most fascinating aspects of my research was how the behaviours of wolves and dogs share many similarities. Just like wolves, dogs are highly social animals, and understanding their behaviours has helped me improve my approach to caring for and working with dogs in my business. Whether it’s through play, bonding, or communication, the dynamics I studied in wolves are also very much present in the dogs I care for today.
I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences and opportunities this research provided, and although Alex (my dissertation supervisor) and I were unable to get our work published in a journal, the journey was an incredible experience and who knows - if you’re reading this and feel inspired to learn more about the research, I’d love to hear from you. Perhaps you’d be interested in helping bring this work into the public eye!
Until next time, happy pet parenting!
Love Holly x
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