Have you ever noticed a ball, buoy, or some seemingly random objects in an animal’s habitat at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium? These aren’t just toys and they’re not random—they’re well thought out enrichment items that help create a dynamic environment where animals can explore, investigate, play and engage in behaviors that are important to their well-being. And thanks to our Adopt-A-Species program, 100% of every adoption supports animal enrichment at the zoo.
Enrichment is designed to encourage animals to use their natural behaviors and instincts. For muskoxen, that can mean ramming. A mega ball gives them an object to butt, push and toss, encouraging the kind of physical behavior they naturally use in the wild. What might look like a simple game of ball is actually an opportunity for a muskox to exercise, explore and express natural behaviors.
For tigers, enrichment can tap into their natural investigative and exploratory behaviors. A buoy filled with meat creates a new challenge for a tiger to investigate. They may sniff it, paw at it, push it around or work to figure out how to reach the food inside. By making food a little more challenging to access, enrichment encourages tigers to use their senses and problem-solving skills.
Enrichment can take many forms, from food puzzles and scent trails to novel objects and changes to an animal’s habitat. The goal is to provide animals with opportunities to make choices, engage their natural instincts, and keep their minds and bodies active. Just like people, animals benefit from having variety and opportunities to explore their surroundings.
Don’t want to adopt a species but still want to support enrichment?