How do the Cape rock hyraxes get along with the geladas and the Nubian ibexes, their “roommates” at the Zurich Zoo? And what sounds do they use to communicate with one another?
Rock hyraxes are unusual animals in more ways than one. From an evolutionary perspective, they are the closest living relatives of elephants and manatees. They have adapted extensively to a rock-dwelling lifestyle. And they exhibit complex social and communication behaviors.
At the Zurich Zoo, rock hyraxes share their enclosure with Nubian ibex and geladas. The rock hyraxes’ unusual ecology and highly social lifestyle make it fascinating to study how the presence of other animal species affects them.
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In collaboration with the University of Vienna (Dr. Angela Stöger-Horwath’s research group, Mammal Communication Lab), researchers have conducted an intensive observation of the rock hyrax group in the Semien Mountains at the Zurich Zoo. They placed particular emphasis on the interspecific interactions within the social groups of rock hyraxes, geladas, and Nubian ibex.
In addition, the researchers made audio recordings of the rock hyrax’s complex vocalizations—a field of research that has received little attention in zoos to date.
Audio: What Rock Hyraxes Sound Like
The results of the study will help zoological institutions plan and design new group-housing facilities. They will also serve as a basis for further research.
