Animal Enrichment Task
A few years ago, zoo enrichment programmes were a novelty. Now they have become accepted practice. The goals of behavioural enrichment are to:- Encourage animals to use their natural abilities
- Increase their activity
- Allow them to make choices
- Give them new experiences.
Animals in a stimulating environment have fewer physical problems, breed more successfully, are better parents and live longer.
Challenges and stimulation make animal life in captivity more normal and visitors are more likely to see natural behaviour from behaviourally-enriched animals.
Food, or rather the way an animal gains access to food is a major component of behavioural enrichment. Presenting food in a way that makes animals search, forage, climb, jump and cooperate, will stimulate them.
The animals chosen for the 2013 BP Zoo Enrichment Challenge are the Tiger and the Australian Parrots (Galah, Musk Lorikeet and Princess Parrot).
Sali the new female tiger arrived at Hamilton Zoo in August and next year an unrelated male will arrive as part of the breeding programme and so this is a perfect opportunity to have an enrichment toy for two new zoo animals.
There is also a new mixed exhibit which will see all the birds mentioned above together and later the introduction of Australian reptiles.
Have a look at our creations!
