Animal Enrichment

What is Animal Enrichment?

Animal enrichment refers to the activities, objects, and environments designed to stimulate an animal’s natural behaviours. In the wild, animals are constantly engaged in finding food, exploring, problem-solving, and interacting with their surroundings. In human care, it is our responsibility to recreate these opportunities to keep animals mentally and physically stimulated.

Types of Enrichment We Provide

We provide a variety of enrichment tailored to the species, personality, and needs of each animal. These include:

• Feeding Enrichment: Using puzzles, hidden treats, or scatter feeding to encourage natural foraging behaviours.

• Sensory Enrichment: Introducing new scents, sounds, or objects to spark curiosity and exploration.

• Physical Enrichment: Providing climbing structures, pools, ropes, and perches to promote movement and exercise.

• Cognitive Enrichment: Offering problem-solving challenges, training sessions, and novel objects that require thinking and interaction.

• Social Enrichment: Facilitating social interactions between animals where appropriate.

Why is Enrichment Important?

Enrichment plays a crucial role in:

• Reducing boredom and stress

• Encouraging natural behaviours

• Promoting physical fitness and mental stimulation

• Enhancing overall animal welfare and wellbeing

Animals that are mentally and physically engaged are happier, healthier, and exhibit fewer negative behaviours. Enrichment also allows our visitors to witness natural behaviours, helping to educate the public about the complexity and beauty of wildlife.

Get Involved

Our animal enrichment programs are constantly evolving, with ideas coming from keepers, educators, volunteers, and even guests. If you’d like to learn more or support our enrichment efforts, please visit us or contact education@emiratespark.ae.

Together, we can ensure the animals in our care live enriched, fulfilling lives that inspire others to protect wildlife around the world.