Zoos Victoria ensures that each of our species has an enrichment plan. Animal enrichment is an important part of caring for captive animals and is essential to their physical and psychological health and wellbeing.

Our enrichment programs:

• Provide for animal welfare by increasing their exercise, satisfying their 'behavioural needs' and optimising the level of stimulation they receive while reducing abnormal behaviour patterns
• Encourage natural behaviours through species-appropriate social group composition, promoting normal physiological and psychological development, and maintaining behaviours that may be needed for survival in the wild
• Promote visitor education so visitors gain a better understanding of the animals, have enhanced enjoyment and are encouraged to support conservation action. Keeper encounters, student education programs and volunteer involvement also benefit visitor education

Follow the links below to see some examples of enrichment at Melbourne Zoo as well as enrichment ideas you can use for your pets at home.