Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care
This communication discusses the Bear Care Group’s “behavior-based” enrichment philosophy, focusing on the importance of enrichment programs built on the knowledge of species’ natural histories, living strategies, and observed daily and seasonal routines. Methods for program development are discusse...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/1/22 |
| _version_ | 1797610729143009280 |
|---|---|
| author | Mindy Babitz Angela Gibson Jason Pratte |
| author_facet | Mindy Babitz Angela Gibson Jason Pratte |
| author_sort | Mindy Babitz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This communication discusses the Bear Care Group’s “behavior-based” enrichment philosophy, focusing on the importance of enrichment programs built on the knowledge of species’ natural histories, living strategies, and observed daily and seasonal routines. Methods for program development are discussed, detailing the benefits to animal wellbeing, including the reduction of chronic stress and frustration that lead to abnormal or stereotypical behaviors. The concepts are illustrated through a discussion of bear natural history and living strategies, but these methods are applicable to a wide range of taxa. The Bear Care Group encourages facilities to consider behavior-based enrichment programs to promote positive welfare for their animals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:19:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-877f6fb9f17f4a2aa1140c39eed4af38 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5636 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:19:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| spelling | doaj.art-877f6fb9f17f4a2aa1140c39eed4af382023-11-17T12:05:20ZengMDPI AGJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens2673-56362023-03-014125627610.3390/jzbg4010022Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human CareMindy Babitz0Angela Gibson1Jason Pratte2The Bear Care Group, P.O. Box 7174, Alexandria, VA 22307, USAThe Bear Care Group, P.O. Box 7174, Alexandria, VA 22307, USAThe Bear Care Group, P.O. Box 7174, Alexandria, VA 22307, USAThis communication discusses the Bear Care Group’s “behavior-based” enrichment philosophy, focusing on the importance of enrichment programs built on the knowledge of species’ natural histories, living strategies, and observed daily and seasonal routines. Methods for program development are discussed, detailing the benefits to animal wellbeing, including the reduction of chronic stress and frustration that lead to abnormal or stereotypical behaviors. The concepts are illustrated through a discussion of bear natural history and living strategies, but these methods are applicable to a wide range of taxa. The Bear Care Group encourages facilities to consider behavior-based enrichment programs to promote positive welfare for their animals.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/1/22behavior-based enrichmentbehavior-based husbandryenrichmentgoal-based enrichmentliving strategiesbear enrichment |
| spellingShingle | Mindy Babitz Angela Gibson Jason Pratte Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens behavior-based enrichment behavior-based husbandry enrichment goal-based enrichment living strategies bear enrichment |
| title | Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care |
| title_full | Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care |
| title_fullStr | Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care |
| title_short | Improving Animal Wellbeing Using Behavior-Based Methodologies: A Discussion on Enrichment and Bears under Human Care |
| title_sort | improving animal wellbeing using behavior based methodologies a discussion on enrichment and bears under human care |
| topic | behavior-based enrichment behavior-based husbandry enrichment goal-based enrichment living strategies bear enrichment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/1/22 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mindybabitz improvinganimalwellbeingusingbehaviorbasedmethodologiesadiscussiononenrichmentandbearsunderhumancare AT angelagibson improvinganimalwellbeingusingbehaviorbasedmethodologiesadiscussiononenrichmentandbearsunderhumancare AT jasonpratte improvinganimalwellbeingusingbehaviorbasedmethodologiesadiscussiononenrichmentandbearsunderhumancare |