Enrichment in Captivity
If animals are going to be held in captivity, then it is crucial to them to be enriched. Animal enrichment is a great way to help the psychological and physiological health of animals. According to safehavenwildlife.com animal enrichment is a good way to reduce stereotypic behaviors such as pacing, obsessive chewing & licking, aggression, disinterest in food, consuming nonfood items, banging against cages, and hiding
that animals show when being held in captivity. However in safehavenwildlife.com the author only talks about the good in animal enrichment and none of the bad, and this makes it very clear that the author does not want the other side of the argument to be shown to its reader. In addition, animal enrichment provides the animals with choice, control, and extra attention from their caregivers. Below are some examples of different types of animal enrichment.
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EED's- EED's; also known as Environmental Enrichment Devices help bring characteristics of the wild into the animals captive habitat. Acording to aza.org, There are two types of EED's; natural and manmade. However I believe that natural EED's should be the main tool used for enrichment. Natural EED's are things that the animals would have in their wild environment, such as branches, wood-wool, hay, flowers, etc. But manmade EED's are things that help stimulate the animals brain, but are not in there natural habitat. These things include carwash roller brushes, boomer balls, tires, kong balls, PVC contraptions, piñatas, and puzzle boxes.
![Picture](/uploads/5/2/5/9/52590333/477271921.jpg?469)
EED's- EED's; also known as Environmental Enrichment Devices help bring characteristics of the wild into the animals captive habitat. Acording to
aza.org, There are two types of EED's; natural and manmade. However I believe that natural EED's should be the main tool used for enrichment. Natural EED's are things that the animals would have in their wild environment, such as branches, wood-wool, hay, flowers, etc. But manmade EED's are things that help stimulate the animals brain, but are not in there natural habitat. These things include carwash roller brushes, boomer balls, tires, kong balls, PVC contraptions, piñatas, and puzzle boxes.
Habitat Enrichment- Aza.org says, animal enrichment provides the animals with different levels of complexities throughout their corridor. This is important to help keep the animals brain working at a high level. Some things used to enrich the animals are, changing platforms, tires, ropes, nests, food/water dispensers, and small places to hide food.
Sensory Enrichment- Research from aza.org shows that enrichment is ment to help stimulate all five of the animals senses (Smell, touch,hear, see, and taste). This is important to the animals, incase they are ever released back into the wild.
Smell- Spray scents of predators and prey
Touch- Put different things like paper or burlap around the room
Hear-They play animal recordings
See- Show the animal pictures of colors that show their environment or other animals
Taste- Feed them flavored drinks and sprays
Food Enrichment- This is used to let the animals find their food, like they would have to in the wild. But insted of hunting for it, caregivers hide it and the animals have to find it
aza.org, There are two types of EED's; natural and manmade. However I believe that natural EED's should be the main tool used for enrichment. Natural EED's are things that the animals would have in their wild environment, such as branches, wood-wool, hay, flowers, etc. But manmade EED's are things that help stimulate the animals brain, but are not in there natural habitat. These things include carwash roller brushes, boomer balls, tires, kong balls, PVC contraptions, piñatas, and puzzle boxes.
Habitat Enrichment- Aza.org says, animal enrichment provides the animals with different levels of complexities throughout their corridor. This is important to help keep the animals brain working at a high level. Some things used to enrich the animals are, changing platforms, tires, ropes, nests, food/water dispensers, and small places to hide food.
Sensory Enrichment- Research from aza.org shows that enrichment is ment to help stimulate all five of the animals senses (Smell, touch,hear, see, and taste). This is important to the animals, incase they are ever released back into the wild.
Smell- Spray scents of predators and prey
Touch- Put different things like paper or burlap around the room
Hear-They play animal recordings
See- Show the animal pictures of colors that show their environment or other animals
Taste- Feed them flavored drinks and sprays
Food Enrichment- This is used to let the animals find their food, like they would have to in the wild. But insted of hunting for it, caregivers hide it and the animals have to find it