animal enrichment- what it is, what it does, and how you can do it too!

Animal Enrichment

What is it?

Enrichment improves the lives of animal...

… by creating a dynamic event in an otherwise static environment

Enrichment can be a well designed habitat

Or some form of challenge or entertainment

Enrichment can be complicated

Enrichment can be simple

Enrichment can also be upcycled!

But how does it affect animals?

One study found lab mice with enrichment had improved brain development, less abnormal behavior, and less anxiety compared to those without enrichment. (Wolfer 2004)

Additionally it doesn't affect individual variability or data in studies. (Wolfer 2004)

So what goes into creating enrichment?

First you need to understand the animals

What does it do?

What does it

eat?

Where does it live?

How do they act?

And why would it want to interact

with your enrichment

device?

So here’s an example...

Primates forage for their food

They enjoy eating fruit

They are arboreal

And they are

curious!

Putting all this together lets us make this enrichment device

The chimps have to climb and

forage for their food

So instead of

putting food in a

bowl

The chimp has to work for his food

Giving him a challenge and something to

do

This helps prevent zoochosis and stereotypic behavior

Overall improving his life

Here are some examples of enrichment

devices

Carcass/ Live Feeding!

Painting

Rich environment!

Puzzles

Games

Even Easter Eggs!

Animal enrichment is limited by only two things:●Animal life history

●Human creativity

Extra Image Cred:https://sebbythecat.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/just-cats-and-brandon-077.jpghttp://blog.parrotenrichment.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/PaperCupToy-944x1024.jpghttps://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/75/13/19/751319d8a4763ea91ca00bc9f1d6bffc.jpghttps://consciouscompanion2012.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/easter-egg-hunt-with-pets-and-zoo-animals.jpghttp://www.lpzoo.org/sites/default/files/images/multimedia/papasniff1200.jpg

Pinterest Album for Animal Enrichment!

https://www.pinterest.com/dilljone/enrichment-for-clubs/

References:Wolfer, David P., Oxana Litvin, Samuel Morf, Roger M. Nitsch, Hans-Peter Lipp, and Hanno Würbel. "Laboratory Animal Welfare: Cage Enrichment and Mouse Behaviour." Nature 432.7019 (2004): 821-22. Web.

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