ArticleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2022
Why Are Enrichment Practices in Zoos Difficult to Implement Effectively?
Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A meta-analysis of the effect of visiting zoos and aquariums on visitors' conservation knowledge, beliefs, and behavior.Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology · 2025Pooled it
- Connecting education and care: using interdisciplinary college courses to enhance the wellbeing of captive animals.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2026Article
- Inactive but awake behaviour as indicating a depression-like state in mice: aetiological factors and association with adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Royal Society open science · 2025Article
- Animal Welfare, Agency, and Animal-Computer Interaction.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025Article
- From concept to action: Operationalising animal welfare strategies in zoos and aquaria.Animal welfare (South Mimms, England) · 2025Review
- Welfare and Enrichment of Managed Nocturnal Species, Supported by Technology.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2024Article
- The Role of Human-Animal Bonds for People Experiencing Crisis Situations.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2023Article
- Environmental enrichment for reptiles in European zoos: Current status and perspectives.Animal welfare (South Mimms, England) · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
The good intentions of zoos to introduce enrichment practices that stimulate animals mentally and physically are not always achievable. Changes to the policies and procedures in organisations are difficult to fulfil for a range of reasons frequently investigated in change management literature. The implementation of these changes can be the source of ineffective attempts to generate positive interventions in organisations. In this study, we investigate whether interventions to improve animal management in zoos through enrichment are subject to implementation impediments. Qualitative data gathered from interviews with 23 keepers working with big cats across 12 zoos globally provided valuable insights into the barriers and enablers to the implementation of enrichment. Keepers participated voluntarily and worked in accredited zoos across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, south-east Asia, South Africa, and the United States of America. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five key themes that described some of the challenges zoos and keepers experience when implementing enrichment for big cats, in their words:
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.