Assessing the impact of temperament on training efficiency in x-situ Red Brocket Deer (Mazama americana)

Abstract

The personality of wild animals has been extensively discussed due to its significant influence on ex-situ management and conservation methods. However, there is still limited research directly addressing its impact on habituation and conditioning processes, which are essential techniques in conservation centers, zoos, and research institutions. This study aimed to demonstrate how individual personality variation affects training. We conducted the research at the Deer Research and Conservation Center of the Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, in Jaboticabal-SP, Brazil, with twelve red brocket deer (Mazama americana). Temperament tests were performed at the beginning of the study, assessing the animals reactivity to the presence of an unfamiliar human and during handling procedures. Following these tests, we initiated the processes of habituation and training of the animals. Three deer did not habituate to the trainers presence, being not subjected to operant conditioning; and four did it in just seven sessions. Among the nine deer that participated in the conditioning process, only five learned all the commands, representing a success rate of 41.66%. We concluded that more reactive animals, characterized as nervous and agitated, exhibited poorer performance in training. In contrast, less reactive animals, which were calmer and either allowed to approach or approached voluntarily an unfamiliar person, learned the commands more effectively.