What is Enrichment? | Reasons | Types | Common Enrichment
Holiday Enrichment | For household pets | Animal Enrichments | Enrichment word search
The enrichment team at the Oregon zoo

Q: Why does the enrichment team need to be so careful around animals?
A: The enrichment team needs to be safe around animals for 2 reasons-

• for their safety
• for the animals safety

This helps to keep the animals and the enrichment team safe.

Q: What if the animals get diseases from the keepers and the enrichment makers and get sick?
A: Many animals, such as primates, can get the same diseases that people do. The enrichment team is required to do both of the following to keep animals safe-

• TB tests- TB is a virus that is easly got by elephants and primates, as well as people. Team members are required to take TB tests every year.
• Gloves- while working on primate enrichment, team members are required to wear gloves and masks to reduce the risk of disease.

Q: How does the enrichment team give enrichment such as scarecrows to the tigers without getting bitten?
A: The enrichment volunteers, when giving enrichment to any animal, first keep them in their indoor quarters to avoid the chances of getting attacked. Once the enrichment is put out, the animals are free to roam about their exhibit.

Q: How do you know if an enrichment is dangerous for the animal, like if it swallows hard plastic?
A: The team members are required to check in with the keepers to find out if the enrichment is okay for the animals. But mostly, these are the 4 things that the enrichment team uses-

• Paper Mache
• Cardboard
• Elmers' Glue
• Tempera paint