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

Reasons for Enrichment
Enrichment for animals was "invented"
in 1920 by Robert Yerkes.
The purpose of enrichment is to provide the animals with the 4 c's

Enrichment...  

• Stimulates animals
• Keeps the animals active
• Improves animal welfare
• Keeps animals interested in their environment
• Provides animals a chance to show their wild behaviors
• Gives animals time occupation
• Gives mental and physical exercise
• Reduces animal stress and promotes successful reproduction
• Gives animals some control over their exhibit
• Gives some stress to animals so that they can make better choices
• May also be time to socialize with other animals
• Is needed because animals in captivity can't live as varied lives as those in the wild
• Allows animals to forage and hunt for food as they would do in the wild
• Educates and entertains people!