Exmoor zoo, exhibits a pair of red crowned cranes with two male sitatunga and a male capybara and experience no aggression from the sitatunga towards the cranes.The cranes also nested and incubated in the shared exhibit, unfortunately the eggs where infertile and didn't hatch, but both the male and female defended the nest well and kept the other inhabitants far away from the nest. Exmoor does however exhibit the animals is an exhibit which appears far larger than the exhibit at FF ( granted I have never been so I ought be wrong ). Is it not possible that the inter species interactions could act to stimulate all the animals and be a good form of enrichment !
Coffee pheasant
Is it not possible that the inter species interactions could act to stimulate all the animals and be a good form of enrichment !
I am not sure about that. I think 'enrichment' is a buzzword that is sometimes overdone nowadays. Intelligent species like Primates, Bears, Big Cats, Elephants etc undoubtedly benefit from some forms of enrichment to their captive environment. However I think its much less necessary or beneficial for some other species. And 'Mixed' exhibits can be as stressful for some species as they are beneficial- the mix needs to be exactly right to work properly. 'Interactions' too are generally a product of the forced closer contact produced by captivity.
Intelligent species like Primates, Bears, Big Cats, Elephants etc undoubtedly benefit from some forms of enrichment to their captive environment. However I think its much less necessary or beneficial for some other species.
Are you serious? Environmental enrichment is fundamental for all captive species. It's the form of enrichment and the understanding of the species needs that is crucial. While the cranes here might very well be stressed from their enclosure mates, they absolutely would benefit from other forms of enrichment such as scatted insects, the ability to find shade or shelter from strong winds etc.
Of course what is meant as enrichment can do more harm than good if it is done wrong, but saying that some species don't need, or do not benefit from enrichment, is wrong.
I do agree however, that things like puzzle feeders and similar devices it even more important for species with higher cognitive abilities than for species that rely more on instinct and who aren't bored as easily. Maybe that is want you meant and I got i wrong.
It's the form of enrichment and the understanding of the species needs that is crucial. While the cranes here might very well be stressed from their enclosure mates, they absolutely would benefit from other forms of enrichment such as scatted insects, the ability to find shade or shelter from strong winds etc.
