Behavioral plasticity of blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in captivity: insights into conservation strategies for endangered ungulates

Captivity-induced behavioral adaptations in animals are critical to understanding species welfare and optimizing conservation strategies. This study explores the behavioral plasticity of blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), a regionally extinct species in Pakistan, housed in four captive facilities in Punjab, Pakistan. Observations of 60 blackbucks (20 males, 40 females) over 1 year were conducted using a focal animal sampling method, covering 24 observations per animal. Seven key behavioral dimensions were identified and analyzed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), explaining 58% of the total variance. Reproductive behaviors (PC1) accounted for 14.3% of the variance, while feeding behaviors (PC2) contributed 9.4%. Gender-specific adaptations showed males prioritizing reproductive displays and territorial behaviors, while females emphasized feeding and energy conservation, with significant differences in PC1 (P < 0.01) and PC2 (P < 0.05). Temporal and environmental factors appeared minimal, with captivity-specific constraints, such as controlled feeding schedules and enclosure size, dominating behavioral patterns. These findings underscore the importance of balancing natural instincts and captive constraints to promote animal welfare and successful reintroduction. This study provides recommendations to optimize captive management for ungulates and similar taxa.