Effectiveness of acoustic “prey”: Environmental enrichment for a captive African leopard (<i>Panthera pardus</i>)

Abstract

Abstract In the course of developing active naturalistic exercise opportunities for zoo felines at moderate cost, a computer‐controlled acoustic prey device was established. Changes in the behavior of a 16‐year‐old melanistic leopard (Sabrina) were studied as she learned to actively pursue bird sounds and obtained food treats as a function of the activity. By the twenty‐ninth day she began to capture all 24 bird parts supplied on the feeder belt and continues to actively use the opportunity on a daily basis. General activity and apparent well‐being have been enhanced, while stereotypic behaviors have decreased. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.