merelle dherve 2010 environmental enrichment for the jaguar tigreros report 3

REPORTES

TIGREROSRED YAGUARETÉ (Jaguar Network)

INVESTIGATIONSERIES

September 2010

ABSTRACT: Animals in captivity show a decrease in the variety of behaviours mainly due lack of stimulus. In order to motivate the development of natural behaviours and minimize or even avoid unwanted or stereotyped behaviours, it is of great importance to implement a program for Environmental Enrichment (E. E.). In this paper the author transmits her personal experience, acquired while working as volunteer with the species Panthera onca or Yaguareté, in the area of Environmental Enrichment at the Buenos Aires Zoo from December 8th 2004 thru April 10th 2007. The goal of this article is to describe and analyze the implementation process of a program for environmental enrichment in felines in general expecting these experiences to be useful for those persons who are in charge of taking care and provide welfare to animals in captivity.

RESUMEN: Los animales en cautiverio ven reducido su repertorio de comportamientos, lo que se debe en gran parte a la falta de estímulos. Para incentivar el desarrollo de comportamientos naturales y disminuir o evitar conductas no deseadas o estereotipadas es de gran importancia la implementación de un programa de Enriquecimiento Ambiental (E. A.). En este trabajo la autora vuelca su experiencia personal, que obtuvo como voluntaria en el Área de Enriquecimiento ambiental del Jardín Zoológico de Buenos Aires durante el periodo comprendido entre el 8 de Diciembre del 2004 al 10 de Abril del 2007, trabajando con la especie Panthera onca o Yaguareté. El objetivo de este artículo consiste en describir y analizar el proceso de implementación de un programa de enriquecimiento ambiental en felinos en general esperando que sea de utilidad para aquellas personas dedicadas al cuidado y bienestar de los animales que se encuentran en cautiverio.

KEYWORDS: Captivity, zoo, environmental enrichment, felines, jaguar, welfare, Panthera onca.

ENvIRONmENTAlENRIchmENT fORThE JAGUAR (PANThERA ONcA):A bASIc TOOl TO ENSURE ITS

M. Ximena Merélle DHérvé

wElfARE IN cAPTIvITY

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Photo: Laila López Goudard.

Tigreros Reports

The Red Yaguareté is a non profit foundation that works to preserve the lasts jaguars in Argentina. Yaguareté is the Guaraní name for our big cat.

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REPORTESTIGREROS SERIES INVESTIGATION 3 September 2010

Environmental Enrichment for the jaguar (Panthera onca): A basic tool to ensure its welfare in captivity.

September 2010


INTRODUCTION

The normal rhythm of life of animals is disrupted in artificial situations because they are subjected to a routine of fixed environmental conditions, far removed from what would be their natural wildlife conditions, loaded with stimulation, where the exploration of territory and the search for food, shelter, and mate, would occupy a large part of their time.

To deal with this problem, Environmental Enrichment (EE) was developed as a principle of animal management to improve the quality of care of captive animals, through the identification and provision of environmental stimulation needed to obtain optimal conditions of physical and psychological welfare.

Environmental Enrichment (EE), then, is the set of techniques used to stimulate the development of typical behaviors of each species and to promote the animal’s welfare by means of activities, complex structures and social opportunities (F. Presa, pers. comm. 2008).

The implementation of a program of Environmental Enrichment (EE) leads to the development of behaviors characteristic of the species, and a reduction of stress levels, which in turn contributes to their reproductive success and, consequentially, to their conservation ex situ. It also contributes to an increase in the animal’s activity, with a reduction of the incidence of illnesses, and an increase in life span, because “in any event, the persistence of stereotypical behaviors beyond a reasonable period of time leads not only to the emergence of clinical presentations, but also to excessive energetic consumption, to the fixation of such behavior, and to the animal’s exhaustion” (Mateos, 1944).

In this manner, habitats with healthier, more active animals are created, which are in general more attractive to the public eye, therefore delivering the intended message of conservation and welfare to the visitor.

JAGUARS UNDER CONTROLLED CONDI-TIONS

Like many other species, jaguars in captivity usually reside in two different types of facilities: the inner one (holding pens, sleeping quarters), for the exclusive access of authorized personnel, where the animals are kept during closing hours, and the outer one (exhibit area), where animals stay during the day in view of the public.

Holding pens provide additional control, which increases the safety of the animals, as well as that of the personnel. Holding pens allow the daily cleaning of the exhibit area, the placement of enrichment and habitat-setting elements, as well as other required maintenance; they also simplify veterinary management. These holding areas are usually small, with concrete floors and bars, in contrast with the exhibition areas, which are usually larger, and with a different type of ground surface.

Many zoos’ facilities are old buildings, often small and damp, while some are preserved for their historic or cultural value, and cannot be modified; as a consequence, animals and caretakers must adapt to them. It is in such places that Environmental Enrichment plays a crucial role.

STARTING POINT

Natural history

The first step is to collect as much information as possible about the species, identifying the behaviors and needs of the animals in the natural state.

It is also important to collect all previous information about the individual animals with which we’ll work, such as their life history, which can be requested from previous and present keepers, veterinary personnel, and the biology section of the zoo. If the animal comes from another institution, such information must be requested from them.

At the time of designing an enrichment plan, it is important to keep that information in mind, because it will help identify the basic needs of the animal, and it will serve as a guide when making decisions about implementing Environmental Enrichment (EE), both in reference to enriching activities as well as habitat-setting performed in the enclosure.

In the special case of the jaguar, its mostly nocturnal habits are disrupted under controlled conditions because the animals are placed in the exhibition area during the day, as mentioned before. Also, these animals are characteristically solitary, and are forced to share small cubicles with other members of its species. These, as well as other alterations of their natural habitat, induce stereotypical behaviors, defined as “a repeated and relatively unchanged sequence of movements without apparent motive” (Fraser and Broom, 1990). Among the self-destructive or abnormal behaviors are the following:

- High levels of inactivity.- Pacing along well-defined circuits; if one observes the

enclosure, it is possible to recognize the trails made on the ground.

- Head-rolls.- Excessive licking or grooming of certain body parts.- Obesity and/or nutritional alterations.

Small enclosures without adequate habitats, constant noises, and lack of new stimuli in the environment can contribute to the manifestation of these behaviors. Scheduled feedings, where animals are fed at the same time every day, creating a sort of “expectation” in the individual which becomes conditioned to being fed at that time, may also induce stereotypical behaviors near the area where it is normally fed.

The jaguar “Jose” in his holding pen in the Cordoba Zoo. Photos: courtesy of Área de Enriquecimiento del Zoológico de Córdoba (Left: Analía V. Frandino, Right: Giselle Peñaloza).

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Observation

Once this information is collected, it is important to go through a first step of data-collecting, starting with observation of the individual or individuals with which one will work, taking note of every behavior without exception, because every observation may prove valuable.

The second step of an ethological research (ethology, the “biological study of behavior”, Tinbergen, 1963) is the accumulation of many hours of observation as well as the creation of an “ethogram”, “a catalog of discrete behaviors typically employed by a species” (Brown, 1975).

The method of data-collecting and sampling is selected depending on the goals of the work, recording the frequency and time of the described behaviors, and entering them on data sheets.

The data sheet should include data about weather (temperature, rain, wind, sun, cloudiness, etc.), identity of specimen under study (name or name tag’s number), date, time, observer’s name, number of visitors (since this number could be a significant variable affecting the animal’s behavior), other animals sharing the enclosure at the time, and other pertinent observations. These observations will describe the repertoire of the animals under observation.

A map or sketch of the enclosure should be included; on it the areas of sun and shade, and characteristics of the site (such as logs or vegetation’s abundance, water or mud patches etc.), should be marked for each period of observation, providing a general description of the place at the time. It is also relevant to show on the map the location of the observer at the time of collecting data. The area traversed by the animal during the observation period as well as the resting spots should be plotted on the map.

This allows a future assessment of less used areas, and, if they occur, unexplored areas. Moreover it shows the preferences for shelter and rest areas, as well as, if present, the places where stereotypical behaviors take place. This indicates the key points for future work.

It is also important that the observations cover the widest daily time frame (in the morning when animals enter the exhibit area, in the afternoon when high levels of “inactivity” characteristic of the species take place, and at the time before animals are returned to the holding pens) and the weekly schedule. This data collection is needed because behaviors could vary throughout the mentioned times.

It is essential to avoid subjective impressions, for instance if we report that “the jaguar is happy” the word “happy” must be defined, e. g. which movements and postures, vocalizations or attitudes lead to the conjecture that it is “happy”.

PLANNING

Data gathering leads to the knowledge of the preferences and behaviors of each individual and also provides a “trained eye” for the personality of each individual animal and for general observations.

Care must be taken that the observations take place throughout the whole process, before, during, and after the Environmental Enrichment: before implementation, in order to determine the most effective habitat setting and enrichment;

during implementation, maintaining a data sheet to record the latency time (the time it takes for the individual to make contact with the enrichment), time of interaction with the enrichment, stimulated behaviors, reference to the enclosure map showing the animal’s movements and interactions among individuals; after implementation, to show possible modifications to the project that may be needed, and also to report changes of the behavioral repertoire, if these have taken place.

After the data analysis and formulation of conclusions, such information needs to be complemented with all the previous information on the species, in order to define and plan the best habitat setting and techniques adjusting them to the immediate needs identified on the individual or group of individuals.

It is important to submit in advance the plan of Environmental Enrichment to all the areas of the zoo establishment: Biology department, Caretakers and especially the Veterinarian personnel, including, if needed, the Nutrition team, in order to get their approval. This is necessary because many enrichment and/or habituation plans may have negative consequences involving risks to the animal or the caretakers, or they may be regarded as inconvenient or inadequate for a good management.

It is also advisable to arrange a monthly calendar recording the days of Environmental Enrichment treatment, time of day, and which treatment; this is a way to avoid excessive repetition of the same sort of enrichment, or the same specific treatment. It also allows time to obtain the needed supplies in case they are not available. Moreover, it is important to remember that the daily schedule should be varied to avoid expectations and conditioning of the animal.

At the start, it is necessary to keep in mind things such as:

- Assessing the possible risk to the safety of animals and caretakers.

- The enrichment materials---some are not advisable (ropes, for instance).

- Avoiding excessive complexity of EE which could frustrate the animal and avoiding certain things such as sounds or figures which could be stressing to the animal.

It is highly advisable to include visitors’ education into the Environmental Enrichment Program. This can be achieved by means of posters next to the enclosure, brochures or presentations during the enrichment explaining the purpose of the new objects in the enclosure and the goals of the Environmental Enrichment. The public is usually pleased by these novel activities; the information prevents the visitors from thinking that the enclosures with remnants of enrichments (such as cartons and/or plastics) are “dirty”, and induces them to understand and support the function of such objects.

IMPLEMENTATION

Recommendations

The enrichment program can be carried out by specialists on EE or by caretakers who are those that spend the most time with the animals, and are most familiar with them.

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Diet

-Supplying food in a novel way in order to complicate the acquisition of nourishment and to increase the time that the animal must devote to its search and/or consumption.

Some suggestions

-Frozen dishes of various forms, made of jelly, milk, salt, blood or water mixed with the food.

-Pumpkins or gourds (with or without food inside)-Frozen food (bones, meat)-Bones, rings or strips of leather (like those used for dogs);

they may have meat or honey rubbed on, for example.

- Experimentation with new foods that are beyond the usual diet and that might be consumed by the species in order to include them in the EE program. In this case, it is necessary to coordinate with the nutrition department and the veterinarians to make sure that the food is adequate (e. g.: eggs, fish, calf, lizards, rodents, etc.)

- Live food (fish, chicks, hens, lizards, rodents, etc.) after visiting hours. It is necessary to keep in mind the possibility of the prey escaping, for instance in the case of rodents.

The diet can go inside an EE, or scattered or hidden in the enclosure (inside a hollow log, a brush pile, on rocks, etc.), whole or in pieces; part of the regular diet can be incorporated into these enrichments, or this can be in addition to the regular diet.

The animals’ feeding schedule, and the amount of food supplied during the enrichment, require serious consideration. If food is given shortly before the animals are moved to the holding pens, this could cause problems. Animals are ordinarily fed in their holding pens in most zoos; which makes them eager to return to them; but if they are satiated, they may not want to go back to the holding enclosures.

It is also important to vary the schedule of the enrichment feedings to avoid the development of conditioning.

Sensory

-Auditory-The goal is to stimulate and generate desired behaviors

through the reproduction of sounds of other species or the same species. Recorders, or similar equipment, are used for this stimulation.

-Olfactory-The goal is to induce marking and exploration of the exhibit

area by scattering natural and artificial scents (throughout the enclosure, on vegetation or on certain articles such as balls or boxes). This is an easy procedure and it usually works work with felines.

Some ideas:

-Strong or mild scents, aromatic oils and spices or condiments.

-Leaves with rubbings from other enclosures.

Often the latter don’t have enough spare time to help with these tasks, however, we know instances in which different activities are combined, for instance, cleaning, animal care, and enrichment. The caretaker may take advantage of the daily cleaning to move around the enrichment objects, such as logs or vegetation to stimulate the animals’ exploration, and to perform minor observations if possible. These simple practices contribute to the animals’ welfare in a significant way.

Swallowing articles such as plastic containers or traffic cones, burlap bags, ropes, etc. can cause serious medical problems; so it is important, in addition to having the approval of the veterinarians, to watch the animals’ reactions closely after introducing a new EE. Animals may react in unexpected ways to the introduced articles; some animals may just play with them while others may choose to bite them or eat them. It is also very important, in this case, to maintain good communications among different zoo institutions which may have used EE, and that have records of the animals’ responses. This would help to avoid repeating the same mistakes and could generate new ideas.

Once the EE is introduced, it should remain for the entire day to allow its exposure throughout the whole range of daily activities according to the habits of each animal. It is the animal who finally “decides” when to approach or use the enrichment, even though we are the ones who have chosen the schedule of implementation. Sometimes the animal chooses to do it when the observer leaves the place, or even much later. However, it is important not to leave the EE in place for several days, because the animal may get used to it. By removing it after a short time, one prevents the habituation toward it, and helps retain an interest on the object the next time that it is presented.

However, in those instances in which the animal doesn’t show any reactions to the EE, or shows avoidance of it, it may be good to leave it for a longer time, to allow the animal to “acclimate”, or get used to it. It can be presented to him again another day; sometimes, this is an incentive to start exploring it. Another option is to leave the novel object outside of the enclosure but in plain view, thus helping the animal to become desensitized to it by lowering the level of emotional tension.

Some animals can become very possessive toward the enrichment articles. To help reduce the potential for aggression and/or competition, it is possible to scatter several similar objects throughout the enclosure; this can be very useful if several specimens share the locale.

It is advisable to remember that jaguars in zoos spend the night, therefore, the time of their higher activity, inside the holding pens, which, as mentioned before, are smaller and without many sources of stimulation. It would therefore be desirable to implement enrichments and to improve the habitat settings in these places also, provided that these measures don’t interfere with the proper management of the animal. It is also possible to take advantage of this time to use articles that for any reason would not be appropriate in the exhibition areas in plain view of the visitors, such as live food and/or enrichments of a non-natural character, such as plastic buckets.

Estrategies of E.E. to be implemented with felines

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-Rubbings with skins from other animals or the skins themselves.

-Feathers-Honey, blood or meat rubbed throughout the enclosure.-Removal of the ground cover, or rearranging of objects

such as logs and rocks.-Addition of new logs, vegetation (scented or rubbed or

previously used in other enclosures or clean).-Urine or feces of the same animal species or other species

(previously inspected to prevent potential contagion).

-New vegetation (after verifying the absence of toxins, insecticides or other chemicals).

-Flowers.

Above: various kinds of frozen, above right: leather ring dry and mince. right: honey and dried leather ring. (Fotos: Ximena Merélle Dhérvé).

Left: “yagüi” jaguar at Buenos Aires Zoo, inspecting a log rubbed with heart. Right: Egg cartons with hidden meat on a log (Photos: Laila López Goudard).

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Occupational

-Addition of novel items to broaden the behavioral repertoire, increase activity and stimulate the animals, and to try to reduce undesirable behaviors.

Some ideas:

-Balls: they can be made of plastic or rubber, or they can be buoys, basketballs (bouncy or not), and in a variety of sizes. Holes can be drilled in some to insert food in them.

-Piñatas made of paper and starch or balls from a ball pit, with food inside.

-Bark or logs brought from other enclosures. These are used sometimes to block the trails created by the pacing behavior or to make them less accessible.

-Plastic rings the animal can go through, jerry cans, tubs, buckets, PVC pipes, and plastic bottles.

-Hanging cardboard or paper bags, cardboard boxes and tubes with food inside, in a range of sizes.

-Burlap material.-Car or truck tires, lying on the ground or leaning or

standing.- Wooden spools- Broom sticks, which are often used for rubbing.-Beer barrels.-Traffic cones -Toys from another cat, or from some prey, including

odors, food, balls, using food coloring to “paint” these false animals, etc.

This experience was one of many performed at the Buenos Aires Zoo on “Sabio”, a male jaguar, with very good results,

because they motivated many of the desired behaviors.Enrichments that look like prey should NEVER resemble

humans, not even scarecrows or any other effigies. This is essential.

It is important to place the Environmental Enrichment in strategic positions: scattered through the enclosure, hanging from trees fairly high, inside the pool, on top of rocks, in places that the animal doesn’t visit often, and/or relevant places suggested by observation. The use of the whole enclosure should be encouraged to exploit the whole breadth, width and height of the space and to stimulate desirable activities and behaviors characteristic of the species. It is also advisable to try to modify routine circuits by providing new alternatives.

Habitats

When designing a novel enclosure, it is important to consider its functionality from the point of view of caretakers and veterinarians; it has to be safe for the animals and people, to ensure their welfare, and it has to be escape-proof. The environment has to offer certain “complexity”, but, most of all, has to be “safe”.

The goal of these habitats is to “naturalize” the exhibit area through a combination of elements that represent or resemble the natural habitat of the species; this would not only benefit the animal, but also contribute to the visitors’ education, an important consideration.

Some ideas:-If there is no pool or water hole in the enclosure, it is

important to create one, because jaguars like water. The pool

The female jaguar “Yagüi” interacting with a lighting globe impregnated with stimulating scents from a different enclosure (Photos: Laila López Goudard).

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should present several different depths, water movement, and waterfalls.

- Logs (perches) at several levels and of different diameters. The size of the animal has to be considered so that it can move around safely.

- Rocks (natural or artificial).- Different ground surfaces providing a variety of textures

for exploration and for sleeping: sand, leaf piles, concrete (small amount), different types of soils, straw, hay bales, etc.

- Visual barriers made of plants of different heights, logs, palm leaves, rocks, “mountains”, etc. These may reduce aggression and competition for food within a population, while adding a sense of visual complexity in which animals can’t see the whole habitat from every angle (Mellen et al., 1998).

- Sheltered spots (at least one, to provide a sense of security).

- Hollow logs in which to hide their food later on.- If possible there should be open areas for sun-basking, as

Above: female jaguar “Yagüi” inspecting a cardboard container saturated with scents. Bottom: hanging cardboard box with meat inside (Photos: Laila López Goudard).

Above: putting beef in buoy lighting. Center: the buoy hanging. (Photos: Laila López Goudard). Bottom: hard plastic tube (Photo: Ximena Merélle Dhérvé).

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Building toys for the jaguar using cardboard, balls and feathers and their placement in the enclosure (Photos: Ximena Merélle DHérvé)

claws tangled on them. It is important to obtain the approval of the different zoo departments before the implementation of these measures to prevent this sort of accidents, and to avoid inconvenience or lack of safety for the zoo personnel.

If there is no budget for the implementation of an Environmental Enrichment program, the resourcefulness of the personnel in charge of caring for the animals can make a big difference. Lack of resources should not be an obstacle to the implementation of EE measures and habitat creation, since these are of extreme importance to the welfare of the animals. A little creativity can bring up an array of effective EE at a minimal cost.

Additionally, there are some alternative ways to supplement the program by combining it with education of children and other visitors; individual zoological institutions can develop a variety of campaigns (E. g.: “Bring cardboard tubes such as paper towel tubes to make Felipe the jaguar happy”), or accept small contributions from visitors, informing them on how the money will be spent. These measures usually generate a feeling of satisfaction and involvement in children as well as adults. It is also possible to resort to donations of cash or materials for EE from sponsoring companies.

Building a “zebra” toy (Photo: Ximena Merélle DHérvé)

The female jaguar “Maria” from the Cordoba Zoo using the provided EE in the pool (Photos: courtesy Área de Enriquecimiento, Córdoba Zoo - Left: Paulo C. Cánovas, Right: Analía V. Frandino)

well as shaded ones for resting.- Trees, natural and/or artificial provide areas for rubbing,

scratching and climbing.- Metal slings of several lengths and diameters, and braids

made with the leaves or certain plants, such as Lady Palm (Raphis excelsa) can be used for hanging objects; they can be placed at varying heights, and it is preferable that they can be moved frequently. Ropes or chains are not recommended; there are reports of cats swallowing ropes or having their

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“Maria” perched on a “timbo” or “oreja de negro” tree (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) at the Cordoba Zoo (Photos: courtesy Córdoba Zoo).

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Habitat in the Buenos Aires Zoo designed by the Área de Enriquecimiento Ambiental: building a pool in the jaguar enclosure (Photos: Leandro Barrios).

Views of the spacious enclosure for jaguars in the Córdoba Zoo; habitat with several levels, with a dense tree at the center (it provides shade and is climbed assiduously), and a large pool. (Photos: Courtesy Área de Enriquecimiento, Córdoba Zoo - Karina Dorflinger)

Training Training the animals is a good form of enrichment because

it stimulates them and increases their activity.In turn, a good training may simplify some maintenance

tasks and bring other benefits:

- It eases the animals’ entry into and exit from the holding pens and/or enclosures.

- It eases the veterinary treatments and other necessary handling.

- It provides opportunities to educate the public, and to enrich their experience, because sometimes it allows the animals to get closer to the public.

CLOSING REMARKS

Environmental Enrichment (EE) should be a top priority in every zoo or institution with captive or semi-captive animals, especially in the cases of species that have very little tolerance for captivity, and are animals native to our country, Argentina, such as the jaguar. Environmental Enrichment, along with training and good physical health, is the basis for

“Maria” interacting with a plastic jerry can. (Photo: Courtesy Área de Enriquecimiento del Zoológico de Córdoba - Karina Dorflinger).

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animal welfare under controlled conditions.Just entering a jungle habitat knowing that “HE” can be

around is an invaluable experience. If he eventually became absent, we would experience a terrible loss. The jungle would never be the same; it would merely be… “empty”, and the jaguar would take with him all our expectations, and the adrenaline rush produced by the knowledge that such an imposing animal walks among us and might even tread in our very own footsteps.

Additionally, “our Tigre Criollo” has great cultural and biological value. For all these reasons we join together in an effort to preserve this emblematic species.

It is the hope that this report contribute a modest grain of sand to the survival of this species, and that each institution with captive animals may generate ideas and actions to contribute to its welfare and conservation.

“It is easy to show concern for animals, but to care for them requires skill, patience and humility” (John Webster)

The pair of jaguars of the Córdoba Zoo inspecting the enrichment which includes foliage and meat (Photo: Courtesy Área de Enriquecimiento del Zoológico de Córdoba - Karina Dorflinger).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank all who helped me create this report in some measure and at some time, starting with Norberto Angel Nigro (“Beto”), for giving me this opportunity and guiding each step. Thanks to the members of Red Yaguareté that works for the conservation of this magnificent species, and especially to Nicolás Lodeiro Ocampo, for his collaboration and contributions.

I also want to express my gratitude to the Buenos Aires Zoo, the Fundación Bioandina, and in particular, to the Área de Enriquecimiento Ambiental of the Zoo, where, in addition to having unforgettable moments, I experienced great personal and professional growth. More specifically, I want to recognize and thank Leandro Barrios and Santiago Ricci, who helped me with suggestions, editorial reviews, and with photography, without forgetting my “soul sisters” who share my dreams and always lend a supportive hand, and who have taught me so much: Florencia Presa, Paula González Ciccia y Laila López Goudard.

I also want to thank the Córdoba Zoo for the photos and cooperation that they supplied, and the people who provide enrichment there with great passion, among them: Analía V. Frandino, Giselle Peñaloza, Karina Dorflinger, María Paula Carranza and Paulo C. Cánovas. Special thanks to Beatriz Moisset, an argentinian living in the United States and active volunteer for the Red Yaguareté, who translated this report into English so more people can access it.

Finally I want to express gratitude to my family, my mother, Sonia Núñez, and my sister, Baia; they always support my passions and my special life style as a naturalist.

ON LINE VERSIONS:

For other Tigreros Reports, go to:Castellano: http://www.redyaguarete.org.ar/reportestigrerosEnglish: http://www.redyaguarete.org.ar/reportestigreros/e

For suggestions, comments and exchange of ideas, experience and work in other regions, please send e-mail [email protected]

MEDIAFor audiovisual materials on environmental enrichment, visit http//www.youtube.com/redyaguarete

To learn more about our Revaluation and Management Program of Captive Jaguars in Argentina (PReMYCA), visit: http://www.RedYaguarete.org.ar/premyca/e

To learn more about the Jaguar Network - Red Yaguareté, click here a www.RedYaguarete.org.ar/e

If you like our work and want to support us, click here http//www.RedYaguarete.org.ar/unite/e and join our associates program with a little monthly contribution.

Cite as:

MERÉLLE DHÉRVÉ, XIMENA. 2010. “Environmental enrichment for the jaguar (Panthera onca): a basic tool to ensure its welfare in captivity”. Tigreros Reports. Series Investigation (3): 1-13. English version. Red Yaguareté, Buenos Aires. Original in Spanish.

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merelle dherve 2010 environmental enrichment for the jaguar tigreros report 3

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