A Team Of Researchers Has Found A Simple And Unique Way To Considerably Reduce Stress Levels And Increase

A team of researchers has found a simple and unique way to considerably reduce stress levels and increase the welfare of monkeys living in a popular zoo.

The study, carried out by Durham University with Chester Zoo, found that planting a metre-wide barrier of tropical shrubs between the monkeys’ glass-fronted enclosures and the visitors’ viewing platforms reduced the animals’ stress-related behavior (such as showing their teeth and pacing) by more than half.

In addition to the significant overall improvement in the animals’ welfare after the shrubs were planted, the researchers found that stress-related behaviour specifically directed at the visitors, such as approaching the glass, reduced by 54 per cent. Instead, the type of behaviour monkeys would show in the wild, such as climbing and eating, increased by 13 per cent. The study also showed a 16 per cent rise in sociable behaviour, such as playing and grooming each other. (Source)

Photo by Fiona Rogers.

Shakespeare walks into a gay bar

[Exit, pursued by a bear]

Projected Timeline of Global Warming

2030: The ice we skate is getting pretty thin

2100: The water’s getting warm, so we might as well swim

2250: My world’s on fire

Galactic whales… would be a really cool band name.

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Design Like Nobody’s Watching