Pros And Cons Of Environmental Enrichment

Introduction

Do you like zoos? Zoos are breeding many kinds of animals. We can enjoy seeing zoo animals, however, it may not be original appearances. These animals feel stressed by the unaccustomed environment in the zoo.

Body

Causes of the stress for animals are the some differences of the life environment between the original habitat and the zoo. Zookeepers feed all zoo animals well, and keep their cages clean every day. In contrast, wild animals get their food, and abode by their own selves. Moreover, they seldom meet human. Consequently they are not accustomed to be cared, and seen. In addition, some kinds of animals form packs in nature, however many zoos do not usually breed these animals as packs. These differences give animals stress.

Environmental enrichment is the process of providing stimulating environments for Zoo animals in order for them to demonstrate their typical behavior, to allow them exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being. There are many forms of environmental enrichment. Each type has a difficult effect. Some forms of environmental enrichment are simple, while others are complicated and expensive. These forms of environmental enrichment can be categorized into five kinds. Firstly, food based enrichment is the most widely used method of enrichment. The aim of food based enrichment is to prolong feeding times. The easiest way to do this is by dividing the animals’ daily diet into three or four separate foods. Others methods include hiding food in boxes or sacks, scattering about the cage, and enriching kinds of food. When animals get the food, they will use natural foraging behaviors. Secondly, sensory enrichment includes the five senses, sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Common methods are making a lookout, perfuming other animals’ scents, and putting on other packs’ cries. To stimulate their five senses, environment can become