Effect of two forms of environmental enrichment on small felids in captivity

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two forms of environmental enrichment (i.e., two small swinging barrels and a sloped platform) on behavior and adrenocortical activity in ocelots (Leopardus pardalis, n = 2), caracals (Caracal caracal, n = 3) and servals (Leptailurus serval, n = 3) housed in three different same-species enclosures. Twenty minute observations were performed three times a day, four days a week (focal scan sampling every 10 seconds), during four one-week long experimental phases: baseline, introduction of the first enrichment (barrels), addition of the second enrichment (platform), post-enrichment.