Environmental and behavioral enrichment for captive animals is a relatively new concept. Most concerns for captive animals have been dietary, safety, security, and sanitation related. Over the past few decades emphasis has shifted to include making the animals' captive existence a more enjoyable and exciting one. In other words, animals need some fun too!

Replacing jail cell type cages with natural habitat areas is a big improvement for both the animals and public image. Even a natural setting and roaming area doesn't provide the quality of life these animals deserve.

Of course, the best place for any wild animal is in the wild, but today's world really necessitates easy access to gain close contact with living wild species for the public to appreciate and want to preserve. These animals are ambassadors of their species and it is hoped that their representation here will have a positive effect on visitors. Even though most of our animals are deemed non-releasable, due to injury or human imprintation, we still want their stay here to be the most enjoyable and natural one possible.

One advantage that the Nature Center has in its favor, for keeping its animals happy, is that native animals are already acclimated to our climate, elevation, and general surroundings. These conditions often cause the demise of exotic animals in zoo and wildlife parks. Most facilities with exotic animals have difficulty breeding their animals. At the Nature Center, we often have to go to great lengths to prevent propagation. Even so, we still get Nature Center surprise babies every year - a sign of happy, well adjusted animals!

Being animal lovers we still try many ways to enrich the animals lives. We know they get bored. We know they rarely get to use their instincts and bodies to do what they were meant to do. It is frustrating for them and us. A few of the things that we do to break to boredom and stimulate instinctive traits are:

• vary diets as much as possible
• hide and change location of food
• stimulate olfactory senses with blood or perfume
• balls to play with at night
• wolves get fresh road kill deer (donated by Wildlife Commission)
• otters, raccoons, and foxes get live minnows
• homemade frozen treats (favorite in hot weather)
• blood soaked rawhide treats
• live fish for bear and cougars
• fresh produce for deer

These are just some of the things we do to enrich the lives of our Nature Center celebrities. We are learning more and experimenting with new ideas on this important topic. We recently subscribed to a globally circulated publication that focuses exclusively on enrichment ideas and techniques for captive animals of all types. Ida, our Swedish intern, has been carefully recording behavioral data relating to our enrichment program. Perhaps we will be able to submit some of our observations and discoveries to help other Nature Centers and zoos give their animals a more fulfilling existence. So, spread the word that your Nature Center animal ambassadors get to have some fun here too!