Marmoset and Tamarin: a comparative approach in the evaluation of captive animal welfare

Animal welfare is one of the main goals of modern zoological gardens. Ethological indicators are a sensitive and non-invasive measure of animal welfare. Comparing captive animal behaviour with wild conspecifics is considered a way to assess the animal psychological and physiological well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the welfare status of different Callitrichinae species housed at Parco Natura Viva, Bussolengo (VR) by comparing the behaviour of marmosets (Pigmy and Geoffroy’s marmoset) and tamarins (Cotton-top tamarins and Midas tamarin). Besides, the effect of a gum-feeder as environmental enrichment on the species behaviour was established. Our results highlight that both species show high level of exploration and locomotion, according to specie-specific behavioural pattern, since marmosets and tamarins are active and constantly watchful animals, due to their small size. Furthermore, affiliative behaviours were significantly more displayed than agonistic behaviours, according to the social and cooperative nature of these species. Data about gum feeding suggest that the captive diet of these callithricids is concordant with their wild counterparts, in particular for marmoset. Environmental enrichment improves significantly the welfare of the Midas tamarins, but does not influence the behaviour of other species. Finally, since the behaviour of captive callithricids resembles that seen in the wild, both groups seem to be in a good welfare. Furthermore, the lack of effect of the environmental enrichment on most individuals’ behaviour together with the adequacy of the diet suggests that the husbandry standards of the species are good