How does crowd size impact behaviour of elasmobranchs in a touch pool exhibit?

Abstract

Touch tanks are a feature in a number of zoos and aquariums, but the usage of these interaction-based exhibits may create concerns for animal welfare. It is unclear whether or not touch tanks have a negative impact on shark and ray wellbeing. The purpose of this study is to examine the behaviour of animals based on crowd size in the Shark and Ray Bay touch pool exhibit at the Aquarium of Niagara. Data were collected from November 2022 until January 2024 via the exhibit’s security camera to observe exhibit use by whitespotted bamboo sharks Chiloscyllium plagiosum, Atlantic stingrays Hypanus sabinus and yellow stingrays Urobatis jamaicensis. We collected data for 5 minutes per hour throughout the Aquarium’s open hours multiple times per week. All three species spent significantly less time on the ledge, where visitors could touch them, when crowd sizes were high. The results were particularly strong for both ray species. These patterns should be taken into consideration when structuring touch tank activities to enhance welfare of the animals involved. We provide suggestions for zoological facilities that still house animals in touch pools to ensure that their welfare needs are being achieved to the highest standard.