Zookeeper's Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Introduction:

As our zoo develops environmental enrichment programs that are species specific, we looked at our captive animals wild counterparts and defined target behaviors and created activities by enrichment types: feeding, physical, sensory and social. In zoos and labs natural behaviors are often suppressed by room service giving them activities and environmental choices enables them to display more naturalistic behaviors. Many Zookeepers are in a quest for sources of ideas, enrichment ideas are often reinvented over time due to poor documentation or sharing of data. No matter where or by whom an enrichment idea has been implemented, it will be new and novel to every animal it introduced. That is the purpose of our study, our work is ongoing to benefit the lives of all animals, we share this information with all that are interested and welcome additional information/input.

Assumptions:

A goal of a natural changing environment to avoid habituation and stereotypical behaviors requires frequent modifications. Ideal enrichment programs require multiple activities (greater diversity of behaviors)

Observation Method:

Scan sampling observations conducted by the Zookeeper and trained volunteers took place over a four-hour duration, with data recorded at 10-minute intervals. Data was collected on the first, fifth and tenth presentation of each enrichment activity. A sampling of three randomly selected days of non-enrichment were used as the control data set. All data points for enrichment activities were averaged for the purpose of this study. To prevent the habituation effect, there was a three-week interval between repeat presentations of each enrichment activity. Data and research is currently ongoing.

Behaviors recorded:

• Active - uses of enrichment
• Active - non uses of enrichment
• Inactive

Case Studies:

• Captive species - non-enriched environment (Control)
• Captive species - enrichment activity (Study)
• Wild species - natural behaviors (Text book data)

Preliminary setup of Study:

• Enrichment program
• Approved browse list
• Nutritional evaluation
• Documentation program
• Exhibit modifications
• Species study

Conclusion:

When compared to a non-enriched environment, the use of an enrichment activity significantly increased the percentage of activity in most all cases. Appearing to stimulate the animals to exhibit a greater range of behaviors more consistent with their wild counterparts, greatly reducing stress, boredom and stereotypical behavior. This resulted in the animals displaying more species typical behaviors, improving the life of these captive animals and enhancing the visitors animal learning experience.

Species Studied

Enrichment Techniques