Training and Enrichment
Enrichment is any object, food
item, smell, activity, or other
stimulus that triggers natural,
species-appropriate behaviors.
Enrichment calendars
Staying on Track
Providing enrichment to nearly 1,000 individuals is a
herculean task. Keepers meet regularly to discuss their
successes, troubleshoot challenges and exchange new ideas.
Jaguar with ball
Maintaining Physical Health
Virtually every animal at the Zoo receives some type of
training, but it varies drastically from species to species.
We use a technique known as positive reinforcement,
which involves rewarding animals (typically with food)
for desired behaviors.
Many behaviors relate directly to the individuals’ health. For
example, the elderly siamangs stand still for echocardiograms,
our pregnant saki monkeys cooperatively participate in
ultrasounds and the jaguars will allow us to give needed
injections. This eliminates the need for restraint or anesthesia,
which can cause great amounts of stress to the animals.
Community Involvement
Siamang echocardiogram
Zoo volunteers
The “fun” appeal of enrichment is effective in encouraging
our community to participate in animal care. Every month, a
group of Zoo volunteers known as the “enrichment committee”
meets to build items for our residents. These creations typically
connect to the season.
Some keeper chats now give guests the opportunity to
construct an enrichment item of their own and watch
as it’s presented to the animals.
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Jr. Zookeepers
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