Improved husbandry for animals at Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain: Wild beasts in captivity at Al Ain Zoo have been made to go through an enrichment programme in order to make them more suitable for interaction with human beings.

The programme is part of an enrichment drive initiated by the Animal Collection Department of Al Ain Zoo in 2010. "The practice has enhanced our husbandry routine as well as our guests' experience," a zoo official said.

Animal enrichment generally refers to any changes in the animal's environment that helps ensures improved welfare. "Enrichment aids in avoiding potential harmful behaviour, which include stereotypical behaviour and excessive grooming, amongst others," he said.

Changes in behaviour

Enrichment, he said, is usually divided into categories such as diet-based, physical, sensory, social and cognitive enhancements. The zoo staff introduced changes in the animals' behaviour through diet, improved climbing structures for their physical development and approved herbs for sensory enrichment.

Other measures included mixing animals in species habitat for their social enhancement and introducing puzzle feeders for their cognitive enrichment.

Several of the carnivores at the zoo, the official said, have been trained to voluntarily show appropriate behaviour during medical care for wounds and hand injections for annual vaccinations. Many are also trained to step onto a scale for monthly weighing.