The Importance of Enrichment in Wildlife Rehabilitation (Part One)

Bonnie E. Gulas–Wroblewski

doi:10.53607/wrb.v25.167

Authors

Bonnie E. Gulas–Wroblewski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v25.167

Keywords:

Enrichment, stress, animal welfare

Abstract

Enrichment is extremely important to the welfare of animals, both those in the process of rehabilitation and permanent members of a facility. Enrichment is essential for maintenance of mental and physical well being of animals. Research has shown that active enrichment programs reduce stress and aberrant behaviors in captive animals, which benefits not only a facility’s permanent residents, but in turn can promote faster healing of injured and sick patients and aid in reintroduction to the wild. Enrichment can promote natural behaviors that help acclimate rehabilitated and orphaned animals to the wild. For captive animals, enrichment can reduce stress and increase physical activity.

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Author Biography

Bonnie E. Gulas–Wroblewski

Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski is completing a MS in Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago. She served as coordinator of the behavioral enrichment and display animal behavioral training programs at Willowbrook Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center (Glen Ellyn, IL) while a wildlife keeper. She also worked with enrichment programs at Cosley Zoo (Wheaton, IL) and Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL). She is currently working with Lone Star Wildlife Rescue in Belleville, TX.

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