Zoos and Environmental Enrichment

Environmental/Behavioral Enrichment

A dynamic process for enhancing key elements of animal living spaces to address their needs and increase opportunities for species-appropriate behaviors.

Heini Hediger

First emphasized the behavioral needs of animals in the 1950s with 'occupational therapy' in zoos.

Hal Markowitz

Developed devices in the 1980s to keep zoo animals occupied and provide elements of control.

Behavioral Engineering

A process where animals are required to express certain behaviors to earn an outcome.

Objectives of Enrichment

Physical health, psychological health, behavioral health, and daily management objectives.

Conspecifics

Individuals belonging to the same species.

Allospecifics

Individuals of another species, genetically distinct and unable to interbreed.

Interspecies Friendship

A nonsexual bond formed between animals of different species.

Cognitive Enrichment

Providing opportunities for animals to engage in mentally and physically challenging activities.

Physical Enrichment

Elements in an animal's space such as substrates, water elements, and temperature.

Contrafeeding

Animals actively work for food in their living space even if freely available.

Categories of Enrichment

Social, cognitive, physical/habitat, sensory, and food/nutritional.

Evaluate the Success of Enrichment

Success is measured by reducing stereotypic behaviors and increasing foraging, space use, and species-appropriate behaviors.

Enrichment Interaction Rating (EIR)

Measures the level of engagement with enrichment based on time and intensity.

Behavior Assessment Rating (BAR)

Measures the degree to which specific behavioral objectives are met.