Remember, if variety is the spice of life, then the same ball which is in a pen for months, may now no longer be interesting for that animal and boredom may set in.  Removing that ball for a certain amount of time and then placing it back in the pen may be once again interesting for the animal. Or if the ball is scented and then put back in the pen, the animal may be intrigued once again.

Fiona investigating the ball!

 
Fiona grabbing the ball!

Complex feeders are used for the raccoon, lemur, otter, and other animals which allows the animal to manipulate the feeder and work for its food.  Hiding food in straw or under rocks or logs provides a way for animals to forage. Hanging toys or food allows those animals that jump or climb an opportunity to exercise muscles that otherwise go unused. Natural oils, herbs, and perfumes are used in and around the animal’s enclosures to stimulate their sense of smell.

Whole carcasses are the main source of food for the carnivores at T&D’s. Not only is this the most natural and nutritional diet for these animals, but it also provides enrichment for them. Carcasses stimulate natural animal behaviors. Some animals will stalk its’ "prey", jump on it, and then drag it away (some will even bury it to protect it from other predators).


Baggie looking at a bowling ball pin.   Is it worth grabbing?


He must think so!

WHEN IS ENRICHMENT PROVIDED?

WE CAN ALWAYS USE

For more information about enrichment, visit the American Association of Zookeepers website at
www.aazk.org

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CONDUCT ANIMAL STUDIES AT T&D’S

Jenny Bohrman and Rachel Rathmell, two T&D’s volunteers, decided to conduct research on two different species at T&D’s.  Jenny earned her master’s degree by conducting research on river otters and Rachel chose an independent undergrad research project pertaining to the bite force of servals.  A synopsis of Jenny’s project is below.  Rachel’s study is still in progress and should be completed this spring.  Hopefully we will be able to share her findings with you in the near future.  We encourage our volunteers to conduct studies about the species in our care in hopes that the results might educate others about the animals; assist the wild population of the species; or, at the very least, discourage wild animals as pets.

Efficacy of Olfactory Lures at Attracting Captive River Otters (Lontra canadensis)  2010-2011

The ability of scents to attract river otters has received little scientific research.  However, scents may potentially be useful at attracting river otters to field devices, such as scent and track stations, remote cameras, and traps, to obtain data on reintroduced and existing wild populations.  Jenny’s study evaluated 6 scent lures (diluted Fatty Acid Scent, Synthetic Fermented Egg, skunk essence, beaver castoreum, Alaskan salmon oil, and Cronk’s Otter Lure) at attracting captive river otters.  To deploy each lure, she soaked a 25 x 5-mm plaster disc in liquid scent for 1 hour and then inserted this disc into a 26-mm long x 70-mm diameter, single-closed-ended PVC pipe with a 32 mm diameter, double-open-ended PVC screw-top.  From April – July 2010, she observed 17 adult river otters at 7 captive facilities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York.  Jenny observed the otters individually or in pairs for 10 minutes at a time over a period of 6 days.  Before each observation, Jenny placed 1 of the 6 lures and a blank control (an unscented PVC device with a plaster disc that had been soaked in water for 1 hour) within a large, naturalistic portion of the otter’s enclosure, and allowed the otter(s) to enter and explore the area.  Any time an otter moved within 1 meter of the lure or control, she recorded an “approach.” She then compared the swiftness of approaches (how quickly otters approached each device), the duration of approaches (how long otters spent within 1 m of each device), and the frequency of approaches (how many times otter approached each device) among the 6 lures and controls.  Jenny’s analysis demonstrated that lures outperformed controls, suggesting that otters may be attracted to scents. Cronk’s Otter Lure outperformed the other 5 lures for swiftness, duration, and frequency of approaches, suggesting that otters preferred that scent.  Cronks Otter Lure and other scents should be further tested in the field in order to determine whether they may be useful at attracting wild otters.  

             Click on the following videos to see our otters in action:

For Jenny's complete study: Jenny's Thesis