Zoo-housed lions show wild-style behaviors when fed whole carcasses
Adelaide University
A new Australian study has found that feeding zoo-housed lions whole animal carcasses on a feast-and-fast schedule encourages behaviours more closely aligned with those seen in the wild.
Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, the research from Adelaide University and Monarto Safari Park in South Australia examined how African lions responded when animal care staff introduced whole animal carcasses every nine days, building on an existing feast-and-fast feeding routine for a group of adult males.
Using around-the-clock video monitoring over three months, researchers found the lions spent significantly longer feeding, rested more after meals, and displayed activity patterns that mirrored the natural cycles of wild lions.
Lead author Lesia Hryhorenko from Adelaide University's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences said the study offers new insights into how feeding schedules influence the behaviour of carnivores in human care.
“Wild lions don't eat at the same time every day. They experience natural periods of feasting and fasting depending on hunting success,” Hryhorenko said.
“We wanted to understand how African lions in human care respond when feeding routines more closely resemble those natural patterns.”
The research team – which included visiting Belgium Masters student Florence Demoulin from the University of Liege – monitored three adult male lions at Monarto Safari Park before and after the introduction of whole-carcass feeding.
During the experimental phase, zookeepers fed the three adult male lions with approximately 200 kilograms of carcasses, which remained available for up to three days, followed by a period of rest and digestion.
Eight infrared cameras recorded the lions' behaviour continuously, creating one of the most detailed 24-hour datasets yet collected on African lions in human care under a carcass feeding regime.
The study found that feeding activity increased dramatically on carcass days, with lions spending almost three times longer feeding than they normally would. Feeding bouts were also more frequent and lasted longer as the animals tore, manipulated and consumed the carcasses, exhibiting a wider range of natural feeding behaviours.
After feeding, the lions spent much more time lying down and resting. As the fasting period progressed, movement gradually increased again, creating a behavioural rhythm that closely resembled the feast-and-fast cycles observed in wild lion populations.
“Providing whole carcasses changes much more than the nutritional content of the diet,” Hryhorenko said.
“It gives lions the opportunity to engage in behaviours such as tearing, pulling and manipulating food over extended periods, which are important components of their natural feeding ecology.”
Researchers also examined pacing, a repetitive behaviour often associated with anticipation in carnivores in human care.
While pacing increased slightly over the course of the study, it did not steadily rise during fasting periods. Instead, peaks occurred around routine keeper arrival and habitat-shifting times, suggesting the behaviour was linked more closely to predictable feeding routines than hunger.
The researchers observed no increase in aggression or social instability around carcass feeding events.
Co-author Associate Professor Alexandra Whittaker said the study highlights the value of long-term, continuous monitoring when assessing animal behaviour and management practices.
“Many zoo studies focus only on what happens immediately after food is provided,” Associate Professor Whittaker said.
“Our results show that feeding schedules can influence behaviour for days afterwards, making it essential to look at behavioural patterns across the entire feeding cycle rather than a single feeding event.”
The researchers say future studies combining behavioural observations with physiological measures could help further evaluate how different feeding regimes affect animal welfare and wellbeing.
‘Effects of implementing a whole-carcass feeding routine on the behaviour of zoo-housed African lions’ is published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2026.107041
Notes for media
Footage of African lions at Monarto Zoo can accessed via this link
Journal
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Animals
Article Title
Effects of implementing a whole-carcass feeding routine on the behaviour of zoo-housed African lions
Article Publication Date
1-Aug-2026
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