ENRICHMENT NEWS—Updated February 2008 Safe Haven's environmental enrichment program in Illinois was initiated and developed by our Director of Enrichment, Susan Gardner, who now consults with volunteer Kristy Berge and intern Catreena McCarthy on enrichment activities at our new location in Nevada. New research published in Shape of Enrichment (“Environmental Enrichment for Cougars: Maintaining Purrfect Condition,” W. K. Baker) suggests that cougars show preferences for certain colors. Safe Haven is eager to apply this research to our enrichment program, and to add to this fascinating new body of knowledge. We will soon begin a study on the color preferences of our cougars, with the goal of presenting a paper at the 2009 International Enrichment Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The study will focus on enrichment activities that present color choices in either aggregate or sequence; data will be recorded to indicate whether certain colors are consistently chosen by the cougars. Safe Haven's first tiger, Tigger, arrived in December 2007. After enduring deprived conditions in a 10x12 ft. cage for his first 15 years, he has responded quickly to his 10,000 sq. ft. enclosure and the activities that we have introduced. Below, Tigger destroys a mailing tube scented with fox urine (photo courtesy of Judy Mosby).
In February 2008 Tigger was given a special Valentine's Day present, a 21" Boomerball. In the photo at the left below, he races to see what's happening when the Boomerball is placed in his enclosure. He proceeds to roll and wrestle the ball, and exhibits "guarding" behavior as if it were captured prey.
(Special thanks to the members of Corgitales, who sponsor Tigger and took up a special collection to purchase his Boomerball.)
In September 2007, Monty and Cooper's enclosure was expanded from 1,200 to 5,000 square feet. We are now adding exciting new enrichment elements to the enlarged enclosures. We have partially buried a large culvert (visible in the second photo above), which has become Cooper and Monty's Cougar Cave.
The expanded enclosure also includes new landscaping. Cooper quickly staked his claim to a hole that we dug for planting a large tree. As in Illinois, Monty and Cooper benefit from the enrichment of socializing with one another. A year apart in age, they have shared an enclosure since Cooper was 6 months old.
Watermelons are a favorite enrichment object for the cougars. Cooper (below left) paws at one inside his lockout, while Tahoe (below right) devours his. We often stuff the watermelons with chicken livers for a special treat.
Monty (below) relishes the scent of lawn & leaf bags treated with bear urine.
Bear urine also enhances the attraction of this cardboard box, which red fox Cheyenne and Arctic fox Juno are exploring.
Cooper surveys his territory from atop his cave. The enclosures and furnishings are a vital component of environmental enrichment. The fogbow at right shows that our region is filled with wonders that are enriching to the humans as well! (Photo courtesy of Judy Mosby.)
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