Zoo Animal Fun, Games, and Wellbeing

Ask A Biologist Podcast

Imagine a world where animals have the capacity to show their natural behaviors and even engineer their own environments. For this episode, we're thrilled to have Danielle Wong, the Behavioral Enrichment and Animal Welfare Coordinator at the Phoenix Zoo, who enlightens us about the importance of animal enrichment. From Chutti, the playful one-horn rhino, to Cape porcupines and birds, we're taking a deep look into how play promotes skill development, physical fitness, and stress relief among animals. Danielle also shares how zoos work together to create enriching activities and environments for animals, making this a must-listen for all zoo animal enthusiasts.
Image: Danielle Wong with Chutti the one-horn rhino playing in the background.
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Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Besides play what is involved in animal enrichment? (00:02:10)

3. What is the most playful animal at the zoo? (00:04:05)

4. What are some of the animal toys? (00:04:45)

5. What is involved with animal wellbeing? (00:07:52)

6. Zoo Animal Well-Being and Habitat Design (00:08:36)

7. Animals that will be returned to the wild. (00:11:46)

8. Monkey village (00:13:20)

9. What is involved with creating a new habitat? (00:15:10)

10. A couple favorite animal experiences (00:18:24)

11. Animal Well-Being and Exercise (00:22:35)

12. Animal exercise (00:22:43)

13. Three questions (00:25:41)

14. When did you know you wanted to work at a zoo? (00:25:53)

15. What would you be if you were not working at the zoo? (00:28:10)

16. What advice do you have for someone who wants to work at a zoo? (00:29:28)

17. Sign-off (00:32:14)