Environmental Enrichment at the Zoo

The members of the animal collection at the Milwaukee County Zoo, under the care of our animal staff, are continuously presented with a variety of environmental enrichment opportunities, in an effort to keep their minds active and healthy, and to encourage the display of behaviors similar to those associated with their counterparts living in the wild.

Definition of Environmental Enrichment:
Enrichment enhances all aspects of animal welfare. It is a dynamic process that addresses the behavioral, environmental, physical, psychological and social needs of the individual animal based upon the natural history of the species.

Enrichment Program

Mission:
Enhance the well-being of all collection animals in our care.

Goals:
Stimulate natural behaviors, provide animals with mental stimulation, provide animals with choice and control, reduce stereotypical behaviors, improve success of captive breeding programs and provide an educational experience for Zoo visitors.

Enrichment Committee

Mission:
The Zoo’s enrichment committee, comprised of zookeepers and overseen by a curatorial staff member, develops, promotes, supports and monitors a husbandry program that enhances the lives of the animals in our collection.

Goals:
Assist animal staff, develop enrichment program.

Zoo animals taking part in environmental enrichment activities:


A male Amur Tiger sinks his teeth into an "iceberg" toy.
A male Grizzly Bear checks out the new stump treat feeder.

African elephant, Brittany, gets a Valentine's Day cookie from her keeper.
The male Red Kangaroo lounges in his bedded pool.

A female Polar Bear carefully balances her pumpkin.
The Polar Bear relaxes with his new toy- a plastic doll cradle.

The female Matchie's Tree Kangaroo investigates a jolly ball.
A Timber Wolf rubs on scents that were put inside his toy.