General Session 2 Abstracts
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AN ENRICHMENT META-ANALYSIS: REASSESSING OUR PAST TO
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Nathan L. Andrews, University of Washington Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Over the past several decades, environmental enrichment has become a cornerstone for improving the welfare of captive animals. During that time, hundreds of studies have examined the effects of enrichment on some aspect of captivity. Swaisgood and Shepherdson (2005; 2006) and Shyne (2006) each did meta-analyses examining the effects of enrichment. However, these meta-analyses were limited to the effects of enrichment on a specific class of behaviors or limited to specific taxonomic classifications, and each has been limited to studies conducted in zoos. The following presentation examines a broader and more exhaustive meta-analysis of enrichment by including enrichment’s effects on a variety of behaviors, taxonomic groups, and across multiple settings. We found and analyzed 263 studies from 150 publications, which measured some aspect of a behavioral change due to the use of some type of enrichment. The percentage of change from baseline due to the introduction of enrichment (0 – 100%) was converted to a rank of 1-4. Each study was nominally labeled for type of institution where the study was conducted (e.g., laboratory, zoo, sanctuary), taxonomic classification, and type of enrichment used in the study (e.g., enclosure manipulation, food/foraging device, social). These nominal variables were then used to examine the interaction between specific types of enrichment and their behavioral effects. Several of these examinations will be discussed, as well as what such a meta-analysis might ultimately tell us about where and why different types of enrichment work, and how that could guide future implementations of environmental enrichment. |
EMPLOYING A PROGRAM OF SYSTEMATIC ENRICHMENT ASSESSMENT TO INFORM MANAGEMENT DECISION Darcy Hannibal, University of California at Davis Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
While a variety of enrichment items are often employed to improve the welfare of captive animals, systematic assessments of the enrichment value of specific items are few. We present observations, data collection, analytical methods and results on the assessment of seven enrichment items used at the California National Primate Research Center. Hanging PVC tubes, two varieties of puzzle balls, shakers, novel forage board material, coconuts, dissolvable sheets of paper, and aspen wood blocks were evaluated for: Efficacy in reducing stereotypies, increasing species-typical behaviors, and the duration of use by subjects, as well as their preparation and supply costs. In general, subjects utilize nutritive enrichment items with greater frequency than non-nutritive enrichment items. Subjects show a significant reduction in use of all enrichment items over time; however different enrichment types vary in duration, subjects’ frequency of use, change in use over time, and effects on reducing stereotypy. Results such as these can be weighed against the costs in material and staff time associated with provisioning enrichment to inform management decisions. We present our assessment and analytical methods for repeatability and applicability at other captive facilities. |
MAXIMIZING ANIMAL CARE BY UTILIZING ENRICHMENT PREFERENCE ASSESSMENTS: LIONS, TIGERS AND CHEETAH
Lance Miller, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Providing the highest level of care for animals within a zoological facility requires a focus at the individual level. However, for some institutions enrichment programs are designed at the species or taxon level. The current study examined the use of methods to determine enrichment preferences for three different species of felid. This included examining the same objects and scents for lions, tigers and cheetahs. Results highlight the importance of designing enrichment programs based on the natural history of the animal while considering individuals within the species. Methods used for the current study could be applied at other institutions and with other species to ensure the highest levels of care for the animals within zoological facilities. Results also suggest that for some species or individuals within a species some of the preferred enrichment items are free to obtain and require minimal labor from animal care staff. |