Head to the meerkat habitat in the Kinsmen Discovery and you'll spot something new: a carpeted house! But it's more than just a fun addition to their space – it’s a carefully selected enrichment item, chosen by our animal care team to support the highest standard of care.
Every animal in our care interacts with daily enrichment. These items and activities are designed to provide mental stimulation and encourage the natural behaviours animals would exhibit in the wild. From cognitive puzzles and feeding activities to training exercises and social interactions, our team offers a wide variety of experiences to support each animal's well-being.
Introducing a new enrichment item, like the meerkat's carpeted house, is never done casually. We follow a structured process with multiple stages, both before and after the animal receives it, to ensure it genuinely supports their wellbeing and natural behaviours.
It begins with collaborating with our Curator of Behavioural Husbandry to establish behaviour-based goals for the animal. Drawing on both the species' natural history and the individual animal's background, the team asks:
- What does this species spend time and energy on in the world?
- Why do they carry out specific behaviours?
- When do they need to express certain behaviours?
Once the goals are defined, we evaluate potential risks and safety concerns. While any new item introduced to an animal carries some degree of risk, we aim to select options that offer the greatest stimulation with the least possible risk - a balance that requires a thorough understanding of both the species and the individual animal.
A full introduction plan is then developed, covering the method of delivery and a safety checklist to confirm the item is appropriate before it's presented to the animal.
Once approved and delivered, the enrichment is introduced, but our process doesn't stop there. We observe the animal closely to assess whether the item encourages the intended behaviours and how it should be incorporated going forward. A daily enrichment log captures what was presented, a description of the item, and whether it was a success.
Over time, we track patterns and trends to determine whether an enrichment item should be modified, replaced, or continued.
Providing enrichment is one of the most meaningful ways we support our animals' overall well-being. It helps them behave as naturally as possible, keeps them mentally engaged, and contributes to a higher quality of life.
Providing a gift to our Animal Care Fund helps us continue this important work and support our animals’ well-being.
