Second Nature: Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals

Growing recognition of the complexity of animals' physical, social, and psychological lives in the wild has led both zookeepers and the zoo-going public to call for higher environmental standards for animals in captivity. With the goals of stimulating more diverse natural behaviors, facilitating breeding and reintroduction efforts, and educating visitors in conservation issues, environmental enrichment programs in zoos and aquariums now encompass systematic experimentation and field studies directed at not only large, entertaining species but also those that are less conspicuous. Bringing together the work of animal behaviorists, zoo biologists, and psychologists, Second Nature explores a range of innovative strategies for environmental enrichment in laboratories and marine parks, as well as in zoos. From artificial fleeing-prey devices for leopards to irregular feeding schedules for whales, the practices discussed have resulted in healthier, more relaxed animals that can breed more easily and can exert some control over their environments.