Accelerometers offer unique opportunities to study the behaviour of cryptic animals but require validation to show their accuracy in identifying behaviours. This validation is often undertaken in captivity before use in the wild. While zoos provide important opportunities for trial field techniques, they must consider the welfare and health of the individuals in their care and researchers must opt for the least invasive techniques. We used positive reinforcement training to attach and detach a collar with an accelerometer to an individual Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) at the Shaldon Wildlife Trust, U.K. This allowed us to collect accelerometer data at different periods between January–June 2020 and January–February 2021, totalling 42 h of data with corresponding video for validation. Of these data, we selected 54 min where ten behaviours were present and ran a random forest model. We needed 39 15-min sessions to train the animal to wear/remove the collar. The accelerometer data had an accuracy of 80.7 ± SD 9.9% in predicting the behaviours, with 99.8% accuracy in predicting resting, and a lower accuracy (but still >75% for all of them apart from suspensory walk) for the different types of locomotion and feeding behaviours. This training and validation technique can be used in similar species and shows the importance of working with zoos for in situ conservation (e.g., validation of field techniques).

Ex situ breeding has been identified as a key action for conserving the Endangered Owston’s civet (Chrotogale owstoni). Historically, however, the species has had poor reproductive rates under managed care. In males, it is necessary to understand testicular function to identify factors that affect reproductive success. Here, we conducted long-term faecal testosterone (Tt) monitoring, ultrasonography of the reproductive tract, and sperm assessments in five Owston’s civets held in zoos in the United Kingdom to gain insight into male fertility. Male Tt metabolite concentrations were higher in the winter and spring months, with significant cyclical increases in Tt from December to January, corresponding to the start of the in situ breeding season. No significant reproductive pathologies were identified among males, with the exception of mild irregular margins and hyperechoic foci in the prostate of one male. Semen was collected through urethral catheterization and electroejaculation from three out of four males, with repeat samples collected from one male. Urethral catheterization yielded small but highly concentrated samples, and is a simple, cost-effective, and field-friendly method of sperm collection in the species. We highlight the utility of reproductive monitoring to gain insight into male fertility.