lemur enrichment ppt
TRANSCRIPT
Lemur Olfactory Enrichment
By: Sarah Kait Smith
Photo by Nick Garbutt
What is animal enrichment?An aspect of animal husbandry practiced to decrease negative animal behaviors and increase mental and physical well being of captive animals
Why should we care?Stress may lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal behaviors such as self-injury or aggression
Types of animal enrichment currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife
• Novelty items such as pumpkins, watermelons, and boxes
• These items generally aim to stimulate physical activity such as playing and hunting
Photo courtesy of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Pictured: Aslan (lion) destroying a pumpkin
Types of animal enrichment currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife
• Olfactory which stimulates investigative and other natural behaviors
• Can range from things such as spices and essential oils to the odor of a predator or prey
Photo courtesy of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Pictured: Lilu (liger) giving flehmen response in order to absorb more of the scent
Types of animal enrichment currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife
• Food items can be frozen and given to the animals as mechanical enrichment
• Frozen foods and whole prey are common treats
Photo by Kara Portocarrero
Pictured: Jirani and Sauti (tigers) receive frozen meat to celebrate their birthday
Types of enrichment Currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife
• Operant training is helpful in increasing physical activity by rewarding the animals when they perform specific behaviors
• These behaviors can also allow keepers to check for any physical injuries on a daily basis
Photo courtesy of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Pictured: Owner Mark McCarthy practices daily operant training with Jirani (tiger)
Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs
Pictured is Tumbili (male) with two fingers missing
• Endemic to eastern Madagascar
• Prefers to live in the higher canopy
• Critically endangered
Red Ruffed Lemurs
Pictured is Ocala (male) who has yellow eyes
• Endemic to western and central Madagascar
• Prefer to live mid-canopy• Critically endangered
Resources used for enrichment• Control: Empty cardboard tubing
• Peppermint: Reported to increase activity
• Vanilla: Endemic to Madagascar and acts as a neutral scent
• Lavender: Reported to soothe animals and lower stressful behaviors
Each essential oil applied to novelty item and to permanent parts of the enclosure such as wooden beams and toys then observed for 15 minutes
Results of trial 1
Lala Mini Tumbili Ocala No Name0123456789
101112131415
Time Spent Active
Tube 1 A (min) Tube 2 A (min) Tube 3 A (min) Tube 4 A (min)
Lala Mini Tumbili Ocala No Name0123456789
101112131415
Time Spent Active
Scent 1 A (min) Scent 2 A (min) Scent 3 A (min)
Results of trial 2
Lala Mini Tumbili Ocala No Name0123456789
101112131415
Tube Trial 2
Tube 1 B (min) Tube 2 B (min) Tube 3 B (min) Tube 4 B (min)
Lala Mini Tumbili Ocala No Name0123456789
101112131415
Scent Trial 2
Scent 1 B (min) Scent 2 B (min) Scent 3 B (min)
What behaviors were observed?• Vocalizations
• Urination
• Increased movement
• A LOT of chewing
• Troop interactions
• Operant training
Pictured is Lala (female) relaxed and chewing on control tubing
Conclusion• Not enough research has been done to
prove the affects of each essential oil
• Presenting the enrichment on an object that can be chewed on is preferential
Pictured on the left is Ocala (male) and on the right is Mini (female)
Questions and Comments