Environmental Enrichment

Does mirror enrichment improve primate well-being? Animal Welfare 25(2), 163-170

Primates are highly social animals and appropriate enrichment is required to ensure their psychological well-being. Mirrors are sometimes used as social or sensory environmental enrichment. In this paper we investigate the suitability of mirrors as enrichment for captive primates, by...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: de Groot, B., Cheyne, S. M. 2016. Does mirror enrichment improve primate well-being? Animal Welfare 25(2), 163-170.

The effect of environmental provisioning on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis)

In response to an increased awareness concerning the welfare of captive animals, several studies have investigated the effect of provisions on stress levels in model species, such as small mammals, birds and fish. In contrast, reptiles have received less attention....

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Borgmans, G., Palme, R., Sannen, A., et al. 2018. The effect of environmental provisioning on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Animal Welfare 27(1), 35-46.

Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice

When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gjendal, K., Sørensen, D. B., Kiersgaard, M. K. et al. 2017. Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice. Animal Welfare 26(4), 437-447.

A meta-analysis on the effects of the housing environment on the behaviour, mortality, and performance of growing rabbits

Although the number of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) produced in Europe is important, they are under-represented in welfare research. Studies on the effects of housing conditions have focused on performance and mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis to further understand the impact...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Sommerville, R., Ruiz, R., Averós, X. 2017. A meta-analysis on the effects of the housing environment on the behaviour, mortality, and performance of growing rabbits. Animal Welfare 26(2), 223-238.

Behavior of pigs reared in enriched environment: Alternatives to extend pigs attention

Three trials were carried out in a completely randomized design aiming to assess the behavior of pigs in growth phase in enriched environments. Trial 1 evaluated the effects of frequency of availability of environmental enrichment. The animals were assigned to...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Machado, S. P., Caldara, F. R., Foppa, L. et al. 2017. Behavior of pigs reared in enriched environment: Alternatives to extend pigs attention. PLOS ONE 12(1), e0168427.

Is music enriching for group-housed captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)?

Many facilities that house captive primates play music for animal enrichment or for caregiver enjoyment. However, the impact on primates is unknown as previous studies have been inconclusive. We conducted three studies with zoo-housed chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and one with...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Wallace, E. K., Altschul, D., Körfer, K. et al. 2017. Is music enriching for group-housed captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)? PLOS ONE 12(3), e0172672.

Enriched environment and stress exposure influence splenic B lymphocyte composition

Prolonged chronic stress has deleterious effects on immune function and is associated with numerous negative health outcomes. The spleen harbors one-fourth of the body's lymphocytes and mediates both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the subset of splenic lymphocytes that...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gurfein, B. T., Hasdemir, B., Milush, J. M. et al. 2017. Enriched environment and stress exposure influence splenic B lymphocyte composition. PLOS ONE 12(7), e0180771.

Enriched housing reduces disease susceptibility to co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A

Until today, anti-microbial drugs have been the therapy of choice to combat bacterial diseases. Resistance against antibiotics is of growing concern in man and animals. Stress, caused by demanding environmental conditions, can reduce immune protection in the host, influencing the...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: van Dixhoorn, I. D. E., Reimert, I., Middelkoop, J. et al. 2016. Enriched housing reduces disease susceptibility to co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) in young pigs. PLOS ONE 11(9), e0161832.

Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing

Many pet cats are kept indoors for a variety of reasons (eg, safety, health, avoidance of wildlife predation) in conditions that are perhaps the least natural to them. Indoor housing has been associated with health issues, such as chronic lower...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Dantas, L. M., Delgado, M. M, Johnson, I. et al. 2016. Food puzzles for cats: Feeding for physical and emotional wellbeing. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 18(9), 723-732.

Brief exposure to novel or enriched environments reduces sucrose cue-reactivity and consumption in rats after 1 or 30 days of forced abstinence from self-administration

Environmental enrichment (EE) reduces drug and sucrose cue-reactivity in rats. In a previous study we reported that 1 month of EE (large cage, toys, and social cohorts) significantly reduced sucrose cue-reactivity. In the present study, we examined whether overnight (22...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Grimm, J. W., Weber, R., Barnes, J. et al. 2013. Brief exposure to novel or enriched environments reduces sucrose cue-reactivity and consumption in rats after 1 or 30 days of forced abstinence from self-administration. PLOS ONE 8(1), e54164.