Enriquecimiento ambiental y su incidencia en la rehabilitación de mamíferos en la Unidad de Rescate y Rehabilitación de Animales Silvestres U.R.R.A.S

Abstract

Barnet and Hemsworth (2009) (cited by Maple (2013) proposed several principles to ensure animal welfare, in addition to the five freedoms: freedom from thirst, hunger or malnutrition; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to show normal behavior patterns and freedom from fear. Taking into account the authors' approach, the following statements are established: 1. Minimize stress 2. Minimize negative emotions 3. Maximize positive emotions 4. Guarantee adaptation 5. Provide opportunity for normal or natural behaviors 6. Provide natural environments Taking this into account, Maple (2013) mentions that enrichment is one of the most powerful tools available to the caregiver to improve the well-being of an individual. Its definition can be approached from different authors, environmental enrichment is the provision of stimuli that favor the expression of behavioral and mental activities appropriate to the species; However, Young (2003) (cited by Maple (2013), proposes addressing it from its objectives: 1. Increase behavioral diversity 2. Reduce the frequencies of abnormal behaviors 3. Increase the range of normal behavioral patterns 4. Increase positive use of the environment 5. Increase the ability to face challenges However, something important to highlight is that not all enrichments work, which is why you must evaluate what types of enrichments work with each species and identify the context. Different types of enrichments can be applied such as: nutritional, furniture or structural, sensory, motor and cognitive.