LEGO Zoo #0017: Owl Enrichment

The second mini-set for National Zookeeper Week highlights the work zookeepers do in creating environmental enrichment for their animals:

Environmental enrichment is a broad term for items and activities which enhance the welfare of captive animals by stimulating natural behaviors or requiring additional mental or physical effort.  Here, Jared is building a feeding puzzle for a barn owl using wood planks and plastic piping.  The rat at the left will be hidden in the puzzle, and the owl will have to forage for its meal, as it would in the wild.  In this case, both the puzzle and the live prey are forms of enrichment for the owl, keeping it well-fed and stimulated.

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LEGO Zoo #0016: Chimp Training

I've been taking a summer hiatus from the LEGO Zoo, but I'm back for this very special occasion:  This week is National Zoo Keeper Week!  Started by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), this week is an occasion for zoo visitors around the country to appreciate the important and often difficult work that zookeepers do every day.

Every day this week I will be releasing mini-sets that highlight different activities that zookeepers do as part of their work.  Today Elaine is training a young chimpanzee using operant conditioning.  She uses the indicator in her right hand to show the chimp how to perform a particular behavior.  If the chimp completes the behavior correctly, he is rewarded with a treat (the banana).  This positive reinforcement encourages the chimp to repeat the behavior again in the future.  Training is an important daily function in zoos, as it encourages animals to cooperate with zoo staff whenever an emergency occurs.

Created with LEGO Digital Designer