Carnivores in zoos require enrichment that engages their predatory behavioral repertoire, and advances in enrichment science are improving welfare outcomes while creating more engaging visitor experiences.
Carnivore enrichment welfare requires moving beyond simple novelty provision to systematically engaging the full predatory behavioral repertoire. Feeding large whole prey items that require manipulation, providing puzzle feeders that require extended problem-solving, offering olfactory stimulation through novel scents, and allowing social interactions appropriate to the species all contribute to behavioral diversity. Welfare assessment through behavioral sampling measuring behavior diversity, stereotypy frequency, and enrichment engagement time provides objective data for enrichment program evaluation and improvement. The welfare benefit of well-designed enrichment programs for large carnivores is substantial and measurable.