Tigers Stereotypic Pacing and Enrichment

Abstract

Aim:Determine effect of enrichment on tiger pacing in Liberec zoo.StudyDesign:The design of the study was a randomized one.Placeand DurationofStudy:The experiment lasted 60 days;360 min per day;9.00–11.00 and 13.00–15.00. Four tigers were monitored: two males ages 5 and 17 years andtwo females ages 5 and 15 years. There were 30 days with enrichment and 30 dayswithout enrichment (baseline). The study was carried outin theLiberec zoo.Methodology:A ballmade of fire hoses, a plasticbarrel withthe lidremovedandungulates ́excrement (controlled by the vet)were used as enriching elements (toys). We founddifferences betweenbaseline (not enriched) and treatment (enriched).Results:Pacing decreased significantly after enriching theenclosures for3 animals:young maleParisP<0.004, young femaleArtemisP<0.024and old femaleIsabellaP<0.032.There was no significant changefor theold male(Tibet) P<0.256.Pacingdecreasedinalltigerswith a significanceof P<0.0412.Conclusion:An enriched environment may improve the lives of animals under humancare.Enrichmentcan be a very good and effective mechanism for the reduction of pacingin tigers. It is important to periodicallymodify and change the types of enrichment itemsused.