The leopards, tigers and meerkats enjoyed a late festive treat today as they were given left over Christmas trees to explore and play with. Provided by the keepers, as part of a behavioural enrichment programme, the trees’ unusual smells, interesting textures and new shapes instantly aroused the animals’ curiosity and inquisitiveness.

Through-out the year keepers use specially created enrichment techniques to encourage animals to use their natural skills and behaviours. Activities which introduce new smells, sounds, tastes, as well as challenges (like hiding food to encourage animals to forage as they would in the wild for their food) encourage natural abilities by stimulating their senses.

Akin, the Amur leopard, certainly enjoyed investigating the Christmas trees left for him by his keeper, Marc Fox, although his daughter Kiska was a little more hesitant. The meerkats, once they had gathered up enough courage to come out in the rain, found their trees very exciting. Whilst, Zambar, the five year old Amur tiger enjoyed sniffing the new smells and even tried to push over his 15 foot tree.

“We give our animals activities and new objects to investigate all year round” said Marc Fox, Assistant Head Keepers for Carnivores “In the summer it might be bushes and browse from trees from around the park but by using left over Christmas trees we are not only providing really intriguing new smells and shapes but we are also reusing what would normally be thrown away.”

Environmental Enrichment is a term describing the various activities used to encourage natural behaviours with the aim of improving an animal’s well being. This can be achieved through a number of methods involving techniques to stimulate all of their senses.

Environmental enrichment is extremely important to the mental wellbeing of our animals. To encourage behaviours that meet the animals’ psychological needs, we provide activities for the animals all year round. Our Environmental Enrichment Group oversees the effects of new ideas to ensure that animals are properly stimulated in a way that is relevant to each species.

The trees have been donated Marwell staff. All trees have been checked for any chemicals or decorations that may harm the animals.

 

12 January 2009

 

 

 

 

The takins enjoyed their festive treat too.

 

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