Environmental enrichment for the captive spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2002 |
Authors: |
Michael J. Renner, Jennifer Plebani Lussier |
Publication/Journal: |
Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior |
Keywords: |
*animal cognition, behavioral enrichment, behavioural enrichment, environmental enrichment, spectacled bear, zoo behavior, zoo behaviour |
Abstract:
As part a series of investigations of environmental enrichment methods for zoo animals, two spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus) were observed for 40 h, documenting use of cage space and behaviors, using a detailed ethogram. Baseline data showed concentration of activity into limited areas of the enclosure and expression of a relatively restricted subset of the species’ behavioral repertoire. Introduction of a climbing structure resulted in increased behavioral diversity, both in the use of the enclosure’s physical space and the behaviors displayed in various parts of the enclosure.