Environmental enrichment programme for Ocelots Leopardus partialis at North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro

Abstract

An environmental enrichment programme for 2.0 Ocelots Leopardus partialis at North Carolina Zoological Park, Asheboro, was developed using sensory stimulation to elicit a range of species‐typical behaviours. A diverse collection of enrichment items was used to create a complex sensory environment for the felids. Enrichment items were categorized according to the sense which was being stimulated and whether the items were edible or inedible. This enabled the keepers to provide enrichment while monitoring ingestion to avoid overfeeding. A combination of behaviours were elicited by the presentation of one or more enrichment items.