The Delicate Management of Social Groups at the Zoo
Behind the scenes at a zoo, the work of animal care technicians goes far beyond simply distributing food. Their role extends to the fine and delicate management of animal social groups. Just like in humans, relationships between social individuals of the same species are essential: they contribute to psychological balance, encourage natural behaviors, and support overall well-being. Watching a group of animals interact harmoniously is the result of an expertise that often remains invisible, yet is very real.
A fragile harmony to watch over!
This harmony, however, does not come naturally.
Social animals live within complex hierarchies where each individual must find its place. For the technicians, this means anticipating tensions, monitoring interactions, and minimizing potentially conflicting situations. An altercation between two individuals can sometimes have serious consequences, both for the animal itself and for the group’s dynamics.
Behavioral monitoring therefore becomes a crucial, near-daily task to ensure that each animal evolves within a balanced and safe environment.
Right now, for example, the technicians in the Afrika sector are closely monitoring our three male gorillas, affected by the recent transfer of the dominant individual to the Toronto Zoo. Since this move had been planned long in advance, the sector’s technicians managed to create the right conditions for a smooth transition and to reduce opportunities for confrontation within the new trio. Displays of intimidation are natural and inevitable, as the group’s hierarchy is being redefined, but the team has not recorded any major aggression, clear evidence of a skillfully coordinated effort by our animal care experts!
Managing Meals to maintain balance
Another major challenge in social groups? Feeding!
Without proper management, more dominant individuals could monopolize food at the expense of more submissive ones. Technicians must therefore get creative: multiplying feeding points, hiding meals, or varying their approaches to engage the entire group and ensure that every animal gets its share.
Each feeding session becomes not only an opportunity to nourish, but also to enrich the animals’ daily lives.
The Architects of Social Balance
These interventions, often invisible to visitors, reflect a unique expertise combining observation, patience, and in-depth knowledge of the species. Animal care technicians act somewhat like social mediators, ensuring a delicate balance between individual and collective needs. Thanks to their vigilance and constant adjustments, they allow the animals to experience authentic interactions, key to their well-being, while giving visitors the privilege of observing dynamic and thriving social groups.
