Behavioral Studies Of Captive African Civet (Civettictis Civetta), In Semiwild Environment, Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The Behavioural study of captive African civet (Civettictis civetta) in semi-wild environment was aimed to record the behavioural profile of the captive civets to provide civet farmers with reliable information in order to modernize their stock. The study was conducted in the research centre of captive breeding of African civets located in the compound of JIT campus from December 2018 to August 2019. African civet is known for its production of civet musk used as a fixative in perfume industry. In Ethiopia, the activity of civet husbandry persists with several problems including absence of modernity in the practice and poor handling of the animal. All the nocturnal behavioural patterns of captive civets were recorded by sensor camera traps and by direct observations at the night using moon light. Scent marking objects preference of captive African civets in the semi-wild enclosure was studied by using 40 poles with various parameters such as length, circumference, texture, angle of orientation. Captivity, where a number of civets existed together highly influenced the wild behaviour of the animals. Captive civets were developed social behaviour to some degree, and familiarity to human visitors and caregivers. The investigation of preference of scent mark objects by captive Africa civets showed that high level of scent marks were obtained on Psidium guajava (21.4%) which is extra smooth in texture, whereas the roughest plant Mystenus arbutifolia (5.5%) was the least marked plant species. In the outdoor enclosure, most of the scent marked objects were densely distributed along pathways. Captive breeding is strongly recommendable to minimize the welfare problems of civets in the civiculture practice. Captive bred individuals would be familiar in captivity and are free from behavioural stress compared to those trapped from the wild.