lemur enrichment ppt

Lemur Olfactory Enrichment

By: Sarah Kait Smith

Photo by Nick Garbutt

What is animal enrichment?An aspect of animal husbandry practiced to decrease negative animal behaviors and increase mental and physical well being of captive animals

Why should we care?Stress may lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal behaviors such as self-injury or aggression

Types of animal enrichment currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife

• Novelty items such as pumpkins, watermelons, and boxes

• These items generally aim to stimulate physical activity such as playing and hunting

Photo courtesy of McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary

Pictured: Aslan (lion) destroying a pumpkin


• Olfactory which stimulates investigative and other natural behaviors

• Can range from things such as spices and essential oils to the odor of a predator or prey


Pictured: Lilu (liger) giving flehmen response in order to absorb more of the scent


• Food items can be frozen and given to the animals as mechanical enrichment

• Frozen foods and whole prey are common treats

Photo by Kara Portocarrero

Pictured: Jirani and Sauti (tigers) receive frozen meat to celebrate their birthday

Types of enrichment Currently at McCarthy’s Wildlife

• Operant training is helpful in increasing physical activity by rewarding the animals when they perform specific behaviors

• These behaviors can also allow keepers to check for any physical injuries on a daily basis


Pictured: Owner Mark McCarthy practices daily operant training with Jirani (tiger)

Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs

Pictured is Tumbili (male) with two fingers missing

• Endemic to eastern Madagascar

• Prefers to live in the higher canopy

• Critically endangered

Red Ruffed Lemurs

Pictured is Ocala (male) who has yellow eyes

• Endemic to western and central Madagascar

• Prefer to live mid-canopy• Critically endangered

Resources used for enrichment• Control: Empty cardboard tubing

• Peppermint: Reported to increase activity

• Vanilla: Endemic to Madagascar and acts as a neutral scent

• Lavender: Reported to soothe animals and lower stressful behaviors

Each essential oil applied to novelty item and to permanent parts of the enclosure such as wooden beams and toys then observed for 15 minutes

Results of trial 1

Lala Mini Tumbili Ocala No Name0123456789

101112131415

Time Spent Active

Tube 1 A (min) Tube 2 A (min) Tube 3 A (min) Tube 4 A (min)


101112131415

Time Spent Active

Scent 1 A (min) Scent 2 A (min) Scent 3 A (min)

Results of trial 2


101112131415

Tube Trial 2

Tube 1 B (min) Tube 2 B (min) Tube 3 B (min) Tube 4 B (min)


101112131415

Scent Trial 2

Scent 1 B (min) Scent 2 B (min) Scent 3 B (min)

What behaviors were observed?• Vocalizations

• Urination

• Increased movement

• A LOT of chewing

• Troop interactions

• Operant training

Pictured is Lala (female) relaxed and chewing on control tubing

Conclusion• Not enough research has been done to

prove the affects of each essential oil

• Presenting the enrichment on an object that can be chewed on is preferential

Pictured on the left is Ocala (male) and on the right is Mini (female)

Questions and Comments

lemur enrichment ppt

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