3 days ago
Music experiment at French zoo aims to improve animal behaviour
At Branféré Zoo, something curious is happening. Animals are now exposed to music, not just for ambience, but as part of a behavioural study.
The idea came from Plumes, a French singer who noticed cows reacting positively when he sang to them at his grandmother's farm.
"They seemed calmer, almost happy," he recalled.
Inspired, zoo director Alexandre Petry launched an experiment to observe if music alters animal behaviour.
"We want to see if it helps them socialise or reduces aggression," he said. Currently, music sessions last seven minutes.
Meanwhile, 430km away in Villers-sur-Authie, a farmer raising Wagyu cattle swears by classical music to enhance meat quality.
Coincidence? Perhaps. But several studies and field observations suggest that certain animal species respond more positively to music than others.
Dogs, cats, cows, birds (especially parrots and canaries), elephants, dolphins, whales and even some fish appear to be particularly receptive.
