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Home >> Our Enrichment Program >> Enrichment Philosophy
Enrichment Philosophy

Defining Enrichment

Animal care staffs have been enriching the lives of animals for as long as there have been zoos and zookeepers. It was only recently (beginning in the 1970's) that the concept was formerly described as "enrichment."

 

Enrichment can be defined as:

“…a process for improving or enhancing animal environments and care within the context of their inhabitants’ behavioral biology and natural history. It is a dynamic process in which changes to structures and husbandry practices are made with the goal of increasing behavioral choices available to animals and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviors and abilities, thus enhancing animal welfare (AZA/BAG 1999).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated September 4, 2009