Transcript Slide 1
Enrichment: Staff Training Program ENRICHMENT Definition • Stimuli and methods used as tools to increase interest and enhance the environment ENRICHMENT What Makes Something Enriching? • • Something that piques the interest of an animal Something that has a positive value and increases the quality of life when present ENRICHMENT The Purpose • • • • • • • Make environments more interesting Gives the animals more control of their lives Gives more choices to perform natural behaviors Opportunity for being more active Social interaction Reduce frustration Decrease the frequency of stereotypical behaviors ENRICHMENT 3 Categories 1. Behavioral – Training provides opportunities for problem solving and mental stimulation ENRICHMENT 3 Categories 2. Social Groupings and Reproduction – – Bonding or predictable selectivity of social mates Ability to engage in breeding behavior ENRICHMENT 3 Categories 3. Environmental – – – – – Sounds Smells Foraging Objects, toys, and tools Renovation of exhibits ENRICHMENT When Is a Good Time? • Any time other than when the animal should not be reinforced – Not while aggression is occurring – Not after an unsuccessful session ENRICHMENT How Long? • • • Over use or leaving toys in for a long time may result in the value of the toys decreasing It is preferable for the enrichment to be removed before the animal loses interest At DCC, it is our policy to remove enrichment from the habitat after one hour or sooner ENRICHMENT Safety Concerns • • • • • • Is it made of sturdy material? Any sharp edges? Is it too large or small? Does it collapse at depth? Can it be cleaned easily? Does it need to be conditioned to have secondary value? ENRICHMENT Examples ENRICHMENT Summary • • It is our responsibility to create enrichment stimuli which encourage natural behaviors Training offers mental and physical stimulation as enrichment, but additional environmental enrichment can be utilized to elicit behavior that ultimately enhances the animal's lives.