Pickle Barrel Enrichment
In spring 2011, the National Zoo received a donation of 32 pickle barrels from the Mount Olive Pickle Company of Mount Olive, North Carolina. The pickle barrels are being used as part of an enrichment program for our Asian elephants. FedEx generously donated transportation of the barrels from Mount Olive to the National Zoo, via its Custom Critical network. (FedEx has transported animals for the Zoo in the past; one of the most famous moves was when giant panda Tai Shan went to Chengdu, China, in 2010.)
Environmental enrichment is the process of providing stimulating environments for Zoo animals in order for them to demonstrate their species-typical behavior, to allow them exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being.
Enrichment includes the design of stimulating and naturalistic enclosures, the housing of appropriate social groups in zoos, and the introduction of objects, sounds, smells, or other stimuli in the animal's environment. It is just as critical to Zoo animal welfare as nutrition and veterinary medicine. At the National Zoo, it is an integral part of our daily care of all species in our collection.
The Zoo's animal care staff hang up the barrels in the Barn and outside for several weeks at a time so the Asian elephants can play with, smell, and bang on them. By changing the enrichment up this way, it keeps things fresh and interesting for the elephants.
See Kandula Enjoying the Pickle Barrels
