Effective water enrichment for fishing cats in zoos requires thoughtful pool design, varied aquatic prey presentation, and management strategies that support natural hunting behavior.
Water enrichment for fishing cats is not merely a nice addition — it is a fundamental welfare requirement. Pool design matters enormously: shallow splash pools are inadequate for a species that actively dives to catch submerged prey. Ideal pools have varied depths, naturalistic edges, underwater viewing panels for keeper observation, and drainage systems that allow complete cleaning without dewatering for extended periods. Prey presentation should vary across delivery methods — live fish released at unpredictable times, frozen prey submerged at varying depths, and occasional crayfish hidden in substrate — to maintain motivational engagement. Rotating enrichment items prevents habituation. The social context of water use must also be managed: two fishing cats in the same pool at the same time can create competition stress unless the pool is sufficiently large with multiple access points.