Animal Enrichment
Told you I’d be horrible about posting entries. I only say something when I need help.
A graduate student at Auburn is organizing a group of undergrad students in the wildlife science/zoology/conservation majors to volunteer at the small zoo where she works. We will be helping her with animal enrichment for the many residents of the zoo.
There are two wolves and one wolfdog (German shepherd mix) that I am particularly interested in working with. I am doing lots of research on my own, but I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could point out some good sources or share some firsthand experience. Because we are volunteers, we will (wisely) not be able to enter the enclosure, although we can work one-on-one through the fence with a zoo staffer on hand. What we really need are ways the wolves can entertain themselves for a few hours.
I have sent out messages to everyone I know on dA who has experience with exotics as well as to a few rescue organizations. It was a pretty short list, so if anyone can help or knows of anyone else who might, please share.
While I am a little biased towards the canines (and the hyenas, they sound pretty cool), there are a lot of other exotics to work with as well, so if you know of any other good sources I could peruse (or other people I could ask) please do share.
Animals I know we will be woring with (I am sure that there are others, but I don't have a complete list yet) :
Various nonvenomous snakes
Wolves/wolfdogs
Lions
Tigers (including two cubs)
Ligers
Some sort of leopard (I don’t remember exactly what)
A camel (young and very active)
A serval
American black bears
A baboon
Various monkeys
Various species of deer
Hissing cockroaches
Hyenas
Patagonian cavies
Kangaroos and wallabies
Ostriches A rhino