Animal Enrichment Program at Majical Miniatures

Ever see a pig wallowing in a mud pit or a goat climbing on a pile of rocks? Animals need to run and jump, climb, play, hunt, explore and do what comes naturally for them. Providing enrichment for animals is as important as providing proper nutrition and veterinary care. Enrichment not only provides exercise but also mental stimulation. Many zoos and wild life sanctuaries around the country use some sort of enrichment with their animals. Majical Miniatures is no different, animal enrichment is a big part of our animal care program. There are many forms of enrichment that can be used with many species of animals. Over the next few months we will be exploring some of the methods we use at Majical Miniatures and sharing them with you.

Goat Climbing Enrichment:

Play Time

Goats are extremely intelligent animals that require many types of enrichment. We enjoy introducing our goats to new enrichment on a regular basis. Every yard they rotate through has climbing structures to encourage them to do what would come natural to them as most species of goats are mountain dwellers and love the opportunity to climb. This method of enrichment encourages exercise that is very important to our little guys.

Thanks to one of our volunteers for donating the spools pictured above.
They work perfectly for our goat enrichment.

Food Related Enrichment:

Shannon creating the Giraffe

Jenna, our operations manager, and her niece, Shannon, made a Cardboard Giraffe for the Kinkajous using recycled paper bags, cardboard boxes and tubes. It was part of their enrichment this week. Fig newtons were hidden in the boxes. The kinks had to find ways to open the boxes to access the yummy treats. As you can see from the pictures below they had a wonderful time.

Supplies included recycled paper and cardboard

How cute is this!

Shannon 

Victory at last!