Why Are Enrichment Practices in Zoos Difficult to Implement Effectively?

Abstract

The good intentions of zoos to introduce enrichment practices that stimulate animals mentally and physically are not always achievable. Changes to the policies and procedures in organisations are difficult to fulfil for a range of reasons frequently investigated in change management literature. The implementation of these changes can be the source of ineffective attempts to generate positive interventions in organisations. In this study, we investigate whether interventions to improve animal management in zoos through enrichment are subject to implementation impediments. Qualitative data gathered from interviews with 23 keepers working with big cats across 12 zoos globally provided valuable insights into the barriers and enablers to the implementation of enrichment. Keepers participated voluntarily and worked in accredited zoos across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, south-east Asia, South Africa, and the United States of America. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five key themes that described some of the challenges zoos and keepers experience when implementing enrichment for big cats, in their words: “let’s just be cautious”, “purely surviving”, “struggle to understand the goal”, “can’t always provide what you should”, and “judge the effectiveness”. These themes provide additional insights into potential areas for improvement, including greater attention to the benefits of enrichment for animal mental health and increased transparency around enrichment objectives in zoos.

Don't use it? Don't lose it! Why active use is not required for stimuli, resources or “enrichments” to have welfare value

“…In the case of caching mustelids for example, such measures could assess whether animals allowed to keep their stores of items, empirically fare better (showing less stereotypic behavior, calmer demeanors, and better reproduction, say) than animals whose caches are removed by staff. We do recognize that evidence like this this can be tough to collect in a busy zoo, and so we also urge that organizational management practices allocate the staff time, funds, and incentives to enable zoo personnel to implement the principles discussed here (Tuite et al, 2022). Assessing what is most meaningful for welfare should be prioritized over that which is just most easy to measure (Veasey, 2017).…”

“…Features that elicit no active interaction are therefore often considered to have negligible welfare benefit (Carlstead et al, 1991;Kuczaj et al, 2002;Makecha & Highfill, 2018;Tuite et al, 2022). Furthermore, "habituation", in which interaction declines as an enrichment becomes less novel, is often seen as undesirable (Tarou & Bashaw, 2007).…”

“…For example, “the focus for welfare enhancement is on animals' use of opportunities to experience positive affective engagement,” states the Five Domains model (D. J. Mellor et al, 2020); while “[interaction with enrichment items] may be a prerequisite for the success of many strategies,” argues the SPIDER model (Alligood & Leighty, 2015). Features that elicit no active interaction are therefore often considered to have negligible welfare benefit (Carlstead et al, 1991; Kuczaj et al, 2002; Makecha & Highfill, 2018; Tuite et al, 2022). Furthermore, “habituation”, in which interaction declines as an enrichment becomes less novel, is often seen as undesirable (Tarou & Bashaw, 2007).…”

The Benefit of Enrichment Application on Animals in Captivity

“…It is just that the implementation in providing enrichment in captivity in experiencing obstacles. These factors are the unpreparedness of captive management, the number of animals that need to be rescued immediately, and less of knowledge about characteristics of animal behavior according to the species [15]. Therefore, all caregivers whom involved in the management of a captivity must be equipped with basic knowledge about animal welfare, animal characteristics, enrichment, reproduction, and animal diseases [16].…”

Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives

“…Arbuckle ( 2010 , 2013 ) introduced the term ‘folklore husbandry’ in the context of exotic animal husbandry (particularly herpetofauna) to refer to established methods in husbandry that lack empirical evaluation. Many such methods are shared through dubious or non-peer reviewed literature, such as reports, internet articles, care-sheets and other grey literature (Melfi 2009 ; Riley & Rose 2020 ; Tuite et al 2022 ; Mendyk & Warwick 2023 ).…”