Abstract
Putting the “E” in SPIDER: Evolving Trends in the Evaluation of Environmental Enrichment Efficacy in Zoological Settings
Highlights
The study of environmental enrichment for animals in zoological settings has grown tremendously over the past several decades. Shepherdson (2003) gave a detailed definition of enrichment: Environmental enrichment is a process for improving or enhancing zoo animal environments and care within the context of their inhabitants’ behavioral biology and natural history
As the term implies enrichment typically involves the identification and subsequent addition to the zoo environment of a specific stimulus or characteristic that the occupant(s) need but which was not previously present. (p.119). In their seminal paper on environmental enrichment in 2001, Mellen and MacPhee proposed a set of broad goals for enrichment in zoological settings, as well as a framework for enrichment programs
Twenty-eight of these discussed enrichment programs for particular species or species groups, including primates, bears, large mammals, felines, avians, reptiles and amphibians. Both the scientific literature and the AKF enrichment articles included a wide variety of focal species, with some taxa more heavily represented than others
Summary
The study of environmental enrichment for animals in zoological settings has grown tremendously over the past several decades. Shepherdson (2003) gave a detailed definition of enrichment: Environmental enrichment is a process for improving or enhancing zoo animal environments and care within the context of their inhabitants’ behavioral biology and natural history. Shepherdson (2003) gave a detailed definition of enrichment: Environmental enrichment is a process for improving or enhancing zoo animal environments and care within the context of their inhabitants’ behavioral biology and natural history. It is a dynamic process in which changes to structures and husbandry practices are made with the goal of increasing the behavioral choices available to animals and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviors and abilities, enhancing their welfare. The model has become affectionately known as “SPIDER” and the components are widely accepted as critical to the development and sustainment of state-of-the art programs This is evident in the AZA accreditation standards (Association of Zoos and Aquariums 2015) language on enrichment programs: 1.6.1. Fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates may not require enrichment beyond the natural or social environment provided in their enclosure
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