Stereotypic behaviours and psychological stress in captive Indian wildlife: An integrative behavioural, physiological and homoeopathic review

Stereotypic behaviours in captive wildlife are widely recognised as indicators of chronic psychological stress and compromised welfare. Indian zoological parks maintain a diverse assemblage of native fauna, many of which exhibit repetitive, invariant behaviours such as pacing, rocking, swaying, bar-biting, repetitive grooming, and locomotor stereotypies. This review consolidates available Indian and international literature to (i) document the prevalence of stereotypic behaviours across major taxonomic groups housed in Indian zoos, (ii) evaluate associated physiological stress indicators with particular emphasis on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis activation, and (iii) examine the scope of integrative homoeopathic approaches as supportive interventions within comprehensive welfare management frameworks. Behavioural observation, non-invasive endocrine monitoring, and individualized remedy selection are discussed in the context of species-specific needs. The review advocates a multidisciplinary strategy combining environmental enrichment, management reforms, and adjunctive homoeopathic care to improve captive wildlife welfare in India.