The enrichment framework we have developed provides us with a process to ensure that our enrichment program meets the needs of the animals, and provides them with the opportunity to experience enhanced animal welfare. Animal welfare involves both the physical health of the animals (e.g., preventing and treating illnesses and injuries), as well as their psychological well-being.

As an important aspect of welfare, an animal’s psychological well-being is influenced by whether it can:

• Perform its highly motivated behaviors;
• Respond to environmental conditions using its evolutionary adaptations;
• Develop and use its cognitive abilities;
• Effectively cope with challenges in its environment.

Ensuring that the animals experience good animal welfare is our highest priority. The enrichment framework we developed provides a process where we can begin to answer some very general questions about enriching the lives of the
animals  - questions that are important in terms of welfare.

• How do we develop effective plans for enriching the lives of animals in our care?
• How do we decide what type of enrichment is best for a particular animal?
• How do we know if the enrichment we provided actually worked?
• How do we make sure that enrichment is provided consistently to our animals?