Behavioural analysis of solitary versus socially housed snow leopards (Panthera uncia), with the provision of simulated social contact

Activity budgets of 18 captive snow leopards were analyzed in order to assess the behaviour of cats housed singly versus those housed socially. Six solitary snow leopards and 12 socially housed snow leopards were compared. Pacing and activity level were used as indicators of the potential welfare states of cats under these two conditions. Solitary snow leopards were observed to pace more and be more active than the cats from the social housing situation however results were not statistically significant. An enrichment study was conducted on eight of the 18 snow leopards involved. Feliway®, a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of feline facial pheromone was used as a means of olfactory enrichment as well as simulated social contact. Pacing, activity level, and percentage of time allocated to scent related behaviours were recorded before, during, and after the enrichment. Although the results did not produce any statistically significant findings all of the eight cats followed a similar behavioural trend throughout the course of the treatment, which resulted in an observed increase in pacing, activity level and scent related behaviours during the treatment days with Feliway®.