In the wild, tigers roam vast territories that have a complex array of plants and animals. There may be rivers, grasses or forests to navigate, as well as animals to hunt and boundaries to mark. In captivity, however, a tiger has less space and it’s important for keepers to ensure these powerful animals can maintain behaviours they would display in the wild. Here, we explore what enrichment is for tigers and the tools keepers use to provide it. 

What is enrichment?

In facilities where humans are caring for animals, they often provide external stimuli - such as foods, toys and other objects - that encourage them to behave as they would in the wild. This is an important part of promoting their mental wellbeing, supporting physical activity, and keeping them comfortable and relaxed. 

Types of tiger enrichment

There are many different ways in which enrichment can be provided for tigers. These big cats typically respond well to enrichment efforts, since they are naturally playful, intelligent and curious. 
 

1. Habitat enrichment

Habitat enrichment creates an environment that mirrors the animal’s natural habitat, with plenty of trees, grass and rocks, hiding places, raised platforms for climbing and a water source suitable for drinking and bathing. 
 

2. Sensory enrichment

Sensory enrichment provides the tiger with a range of smells, textures, sounds and tastes to encourage it to explore its enclosure, promoting choice and a sense of control in the environment. Natural scents such as pheromones or prey scents may be used, as well as recordings of other animals’ vocalisations. Objects such as cardboard, blankets, balls, ropes and barrels provide things for the tiger to investigate and play with, while novel food items such as watermelons or pumpkins offer taste enrichment. 

3. Nutritional enrichment

Food is often presented to tigers in different ways, encouraging hunting and problem-solving behaviours. It may be hidden or buried, and feeding routines are often changed to add the unpredictability that tigers would experience in the wild. 
 

4. Physical enrichment

In the wild, tigers often have to use their whole body to hunt prey and drag it to a safe spot to be eaten. Keepers stimulate this dragging and pulling behaviour with large objects such as tyres. They may also set up pulleys, bungees or lures that force the tiger to work harder for its meal. This ensures it benefits from physical activity and supports the natural behaviour of foraging for food. 

Safety considerations for enrichment

Enrichment is always delivered with the safety of both the keepers and the tigers themselves in mind. Tigers are powerful animals and can be destructive, so toys and other objects must be assessed to ensure tigers don’t harm themselves or become entangled. 

See The Tiger Who Came to Tea

The tiger who visits Sophie and her mummy in the children’s play The Tiger Who Came to Tea certainly finds plenty of novel food items to enjoy. From tea and cake to all the water in the taps, this hungry cat leaves very little for anyone else! This delightful children’s show retells Judith Kerr’s classic picture book with songs, dancing and magic. Book your tickets to one of the best theatre shows for families today and join in the fun.