Using 3D Photogrammetry to Quantify Usable Space in Zoo-Housed Primate Habitats

Area of Science:

• Zoo animal welfare and habitat design
• Wildlife conservation research
• 3D modeling and spatial analysis

Background:

• Traditional zoo space use studies often neglect arboreal areas, limiting understanding of behaviorally relevant space.
• Existing methods for calculating above-ground usable space have limitations in accuracy and efficiency.
• Accurate measurement of complex vertical habitats is crucial for arboreal species welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel 3D photogrammetry-based method (3DP method) for calculating usable space in zoo habitats.
• To compare the 3DP method's accuracy and efficiency against a previous SketchUp-based method (MSU method).
• To assess the applicability of the 3DP method across different habitat sizes and complexities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 3D photogrammetry to generate detailed 3D point clouds and meshes from habitat images.
• Quantified usable space (surface area, volume) in primate habitats using the 3DP method.
• Compared the 3DP method's results and generation efficiency (active vs. passive work) with the MSU method.

Main Results:

• The 3DP method yielded comparable surface area and volume measurements to the MSU method for a crowned lemur habitat.
• The 3DP method required 82% less active user work compared to the MSU method.
• The 3DP method successfully measured usable space in a much larger Bornean orangutan habitat, demonstrating scalability.

Conclusions:

• The 3DP method provides an efficient and accurate approach to quantifying usable space in complex zoo habitats.
• This technique is particularly beneficial for arboreal species, offering a more comprehensive understanding of their environment.
• The 3DP method's flexibility and reduced workload make it a valuable tool for zoo habitat research and management.