Behavioral Enrichment

Behavioral enrichment, also known as environmental enrichment, is intended to prevent boredom in zoo animals, and some activities even promote natural animal behaviors.

Enrichment can take the form of paintings, but it can also include activities that are planned to increase the animal's curiosity or enjoyment of its surroundings. Searching for food that is hidden in an animal's enclosure encourages foraging. Offering new items to play with or changing the environmental "furniture or props" in an enclosure are forms of enrichment that heighten exploration. The more active and interested an animal is in its environment, the happier and healthier it will be.

What do our zookeepers do for our animals at the Alexandria Zoo? Watch a video to find out.