Scent marking is a fundamental territorial behavior for big cats that requires appropriate provision in zoo exhibits. Olfactory enrichment dramatically improves felid welfare.
Olfactory welfare for zoo felids is a welfare dimension that receives less attention than behavioral or physical enrichment. Big cats experience their environment largely through scent - providing meaningful olfactory stimulation through novel and prey-relevant scents activates natural territorial and foraging behavior that barren exhibits cannot support. Low-cost and high-impact, olfactory enrichment is among the best value welfare investments in felid management.