Environmental enrichment for bush dogs (Speothos venaticus Lund, 1842) at the Moscow Zoo
https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2026-4-1-4-03
Abstract
Ensuring a high level of animal welfare in captivity is a key challenge for modern zoos. One of the most important methods to improve animal welfare is the application of various environmental enrichment techniques. The study assessed the effectiveness of different types of environmental enrichment (nutritional, sensory, physical) for a group of bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) at the Moscow Zoo. The results showed that food-based stimuli elicit statistically significantly higher levels of animal engagement compared to sensory and physical enrichment types (p<0.001). Sex-related differences were also identified: males displayed greater interest in exploring new scents (p<0.01).
Nutritional enrichment was found to be the most effective tool for stimulating natural behaviors in captive bush dogs.
About the Authors
Dmitriy S. Chernikov
Moscow Zoo
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitriy S. Chernikov, Animal Keeper
Mikhail A. Bragin
Moscow Zoo
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mikhail A. Bragin, Head of department “Mammals”
Natalya A. Veselova
Timiryazev State Biological Museum
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalya A. Veselova, Csc (Bio), Associate Professor, Senior Research Associate
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Review
For citations:
Chernikov D.S., Bragin M.A., Veselova N.A. Environmental enrichment for bush dogs (Speothos venaticus Lund, 1842) at the Moscow Zoo. Timiryazev Biological Journal. 2026;4(1):403. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2026-4-1-4-03
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