The use of a simple and practical water-based enrichment in a pair of lion-tailed macaques

Abstract

Environmental enrichment is frequently used to improve the captive environment, aiming to enhance the quality of captive animal care. Water-based enrichment can increase exploratory behaviour and tool use, promoting object manipulation, particularly in macaque species. Several water-based enrichments were evaluated by observing the frequency of interaction with each enrichment type by two lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus. Four types of water enrichment were provided: food only, non-food only (stones and shells), mix of food and non-food and water only. Data were analysed using randomisation tests, with a difference found in the frequency of interaction between the different enrichment types, particularly between food-only and mixed although this difference was not statistically significant. This enrichment showed that the provision of non-food items along with food items can increase interaction with an enrichment. This type of enrichment is also simple and easy to modify, making it ideal for many zoos.