Over the past few weeks we have been trialing new things to add to the many daily activities at the Dome. In the past we regularly prepared behavioral enrichment for all the animals behind the scenes,  but recently the idea of putting this task on display was suggested to  Management.  We have now been trialing  this program for 2 weeks and it has been very successful. We set up a small  table in the stage area with a box full of different objects such as toilet  rolls, chains, rope,  newspaper, household objects, bark etc. and different  foods including fruits, vegetables, insects, honey, peanut butter, oats,  almonds and lots more.

Our reasoning for doing this is educating our  customers on how and why we provide enrichment for all the animals; its  benefits, what behaviour it encourages, and why we do it.  Enrichment is a very important aspect of  recreating natural behaviours in a captive environment that should be provided  for any captive animal, not just the ones in zoos.

There are many different forms of enrichment, and they  all have different purposes. The main form is stimulation of the animals’ senses  – sight, smell, taste and sound.  It is also  used to reduce physiological problems; stimulate the mind and even the reduction  of potential aggressive behaviour.  Some of the enrichment provided includes making toys for them to play with and  chew on.  Making bon bons is the most  common form of enrichment.  This is  usually done by putting food into objects (like a toilet roll) and sealing it  so the animals have to play around, tearing these objects up to get to the food  source inside.

Scattering items like food or treat toys around the  enclosure for them to smell, and scent enrichment for some animals is also beneficial.  For possums or similar animals, a little diluted  eucalyptus oil sprayed around their enclosure, or herbs  rubbed onto branches or  boxes are usually enough.

It is very important for us to provide enrichment on a  regular basis as it offers fun for the animals as well as keeping them happy  and healthy. It also provides fun for the staff in their daily duties, and the  customers who are now able to be “hands on” and help us with the preparation.  All you need is to be a little creative. The  hardest part is deciding which branch you will put the enrichment on!