Leading the Way on Improving Zoo Welfare
UK-based charity The Aspinall Foundation is stepping up its conservation efforts in south-east Asia, having recently funded the region's first Shape of Enrichment workshop. The four-day workshop was held in Jakarta, at the world famous Schmutzer Primate Centre, and aimed to showcase techniques to improve the conditions of captive animals in zoos and sanctuaries via a series of simple enrichment devices.
The Aspinall Foundation oversees Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks in Kent, and strives not only to provide the highest standards of welfare for the animals at its parks, but is also committed to improving welfare standards at an international level through the process of knowledge-sharing and capacity building. Enrichment improves the lives of animals in captivity by offering them choice and control over their environment and allowing them to exhibit natural behaviours such as foraging, problem solving and play. Animals in sterile, monotonous conditions are likely to be bored, easily stressed and have a lower reproductive success.
The Aspinall Foundation's Kent-based parks employ a full time Enrichment Officer -Mark Kingston-Jones - to assist the teams of dedicated keepers in keeping the animals as stimulated as possible. Mr. Kingston-Jones, who previously assisted with a 'Shape of Enrichment' workshop at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in early 2009, proposed the idea to take the workshop to Indonesia - home to many of the endangered primates found at The Aspinall Foundation's parks. The Aspinall Foundation has been working in collaboration with the Indonesian government for many years now, and this latest venture is yet another step towards achieving much a broader conservation objective in the region.
Mr. Kingston-Jones, who worked with The Shape of Enrichment programs director Valerie Hare to deliver a series of instructive lectures and activities, commented;
"The workshop proved to be hugely successful. The participants were thoroughly engaged, as were the animals they were working with! There are many people working in these zoos that are eager to affect positive changes and are enthusiastic about the help available. Every animal needs enrichment and this program was a valuable starting point in assisting in improving welfare in zoological collections across Indonesia"
The Indonesian enrichment program attracted 83 delegates from zoos and rehabilitation centres across Indonesia, ranging from animal caretakers to directors and veterinarians. Participants worked with a variety of animals over the four days including big cats, sun bears, gibbons, langurs, tapir, deer, monitors, snakes and macaws.
The success of The Shape of Enrichment workshop in Indonesia is an important step in improving the conditions of animals in captivity across the world, raising captive breeding rates and safeguarding the future of endangered species.
