The importance of novel and cognitive enrichment for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and the use of activity budgets and social network analysis to assess welfare (2025)

Stitt, A. E.

Abstract

I introduced foraging enrichment with a cognitive component to a group of six captive adult chimpanzees living at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Dunstable in the United Kingdom. I conducted preliminary behavioural observations for 13 days spread over a four week period (June 8-July 7, 2019). I introduced enrichment devices I designed during the latter 13 days between July 8August 8, 2019. Scan data collection, as explained by Altmann (1974), was used to collect behavioural observations. Four enrichments were introduced, including 1) a scent-based scavenger hunt, 2) a rotating tube maze (Fig. 1), 3) a termite-fishing simulation task and 4) a magnet maze .