An argument for a standardized method to record, measure, characterize, and compare captive animal soundscapes

A small number of soundscape ecologists in North America, Europe and Australia are collaborating to develop international standards for their soundscape research (Pijanowski and Farina 2011). Acoustic studies of zoos have had widely differing goals, techniques, and results, and even accuracy of equipment has not always been discussed, making understanding of results difficult and comparisons impossible. To characterize an entire soundscape, multiple metrics are required. Schulte-Fortkamp (2014) stressed the importance of interdisciplinarity to appreciate the broad roles of soundscapes and the need for a common language. As interdisciplinarity increases, so does the need for standardization so researchers from any background or discipline can compare outcomes. Recording a soundscape can reveal important information about the experience of animals that animal-care managers may remain unaware of, particularly if sounds occur outside the range of human hearing or when staff are absent. This project sought a method whereby zoo and wildlife park soundscapes may be comprehensively recorded, measured, characterized, and compared. By seeking correlations between a wide range of acoustic parameters and the health and well-being of the species and of individual animals held within each soundscape, greater understanding may ensue and provide a new concept in animal care.