Environmental enrichment in zoos

Abstract

Zoos were created with objectives that diverge from the present reality, currently focused on the conservation of species, environmental education and scientific research, not only for the entertainment of man. In order to improve the lives of animals kept in captivity, environmental enrichment promotes stimuli that provide animal interaction with the environment and with other beings, making it possible to express behaviors common to their species, thus increasing the degree of well-being. It can be applied in five different methods: social, physical, sensory, cognitive and food, in view of the objective to be applied, behaviors and habits of each species. The enclosure must present the needs that the captive requires, resembling to the maximum with the natural habitat and the reality in free life. The lack or inefficient application of enrichment can lead to numerous problems, such as increasing rates of depression, anxiety, stress, reducing reproductive rates and among others that will be presented in more depth in this work. The present study covered a collection of bibliographies that highlight the role of zoos over the years and the relevance of environmental enrichment in the enclosures added to animal welfare and better quality of life.