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Enrichment for predators at LIONSROCK
Enrichment consists of environmental enrichment with further measures of enrichment that are taken from time to time based on the requirements of the animals. Enclosures:The sizes and shape of the enclosures and their natural basic structure are important preconditions for environmental enrichment for the animals. The reasons for this are as follows:• Natural structures: All enclosures are several hectares in size, fenced natural habitats. The main parts consist of open grassland with bushes and/or trees. One of the enclosures is made up of one third rocky terrain, which provide different rest and outlook places. • Additional structures: In all the enclosures shelters have been constructed which can be used by the animals as resting places. Natural structures made from dead trees provide the animals with the possibility to hide and shelter from the elements. The groups:The different prides of lions consist of 3 to 14 animals of different sex. The relationships within a pride varying between pure family groups, like e.g. the pride from Gaenserndorf, and groups with animals which are not related and were brought together later on. All the animals are living in stable social groups which is a very important condition for animal keeping, especially for the lions.
Night rooms:All enclosures have night rooms which are always available for the animals, and which have a small separation area enclosed. The night rooms provide warm shelter in the cold season. It is used for medical treatments, recovery observation and administration of routine vaccinations.Keeping:All enclosures are constructed at the highest safety standard, and allow the animals to use the enclosures all through the year. Therefore there is no necessity to close them in the shelters at night. This allows the animals to act out their natural behavior without restrictions.All enclosures are placed next to each other, whereby the territorial behavior of every pride gets stimulated, such as roaring, scent marking, visiting outlooks, walking along the boarders of the territory, observing the other prides and so forth. All enclosures are placed within the farm area. There are no additional fences between the predators and the free roaming game, who often pass close to the big cats enclosures. This stimulates the vigilance, sensory abilities and hunting instincts of all predators. 
Feeding:The feeding of predators is one of the most important aspects to advance natural behavior. The providing of food is a main part in the natural life of a predator. In the wild most predators don’t eat every day, rather, consuming a lot of meat in one time after a successful hunt. According to this, we feed them twice a week with big parts of herbivores including fur and bones. They have to “work” on their food, and in this way as most as possible of their natural behavior can be satisfied.The animals are fed in their big enclosures as a pride. This is an essential contribution to stimulate important instinctive behavior, stimulating the bounds of social behavior within a pride. The creation of these basic conditions are by their own essential to encourage animals to use their natural abilities and behaviors to interact with their environment. In addition we also provide common well proved Enrichment methods for our predators. Other enrichment methods:The described basic conditions provide the animals with choices and allows them a degree of control over their lives. This kind of captive management ensures the possibilities to express their natural behaviour to a high level.Additional scientific measures, which are popular and successfully used in zoos, are constantly explored. We implement such measures based on the needs of the animals and not according to a specific schedule, as routine could lead to disinterest, which is not the desired outcome. Enrichment supplies:Through their daily observation and monitoring of the animals needs, the animal keeper plays a big part in ensuring correct use of enrichment materials and successful results.
For the execution of certain enrichment programs, each enclosure provides so called swinging feeding poles. Different enrichment objects to hang on:- balls on ropes (Boomer balls) - parts of carcass or fur - burlap sacks filled with: faeces of prey animals hay mixed with different spices like cinnamon or curry Different enrichment objects which can be hidden in the enclosures:- Cardboard boxes or tubes filled with hay and small pieces of meat - Cardboard boxes or tubes filled with hay and faeces of prey animals - Pieces of meat which is hidden in bushes or tree holes Different enrichment objects which can be used open in enclosures:Create trails with following items: - faeces of prey animal - faeces of strange lions - meat and blood trail - trail with spices like cinnamon or curry, aromatic oils |
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Bank account name: LIONSROCK PARK Bank and Code: First National Bank - South Africa FNB-230133 Account No: 62165825583 |
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