The use of environmental enrichments on the meerkats' run (Suricata suricatta) in zoo conditions to eliminate aggressive behaviors

Animals in zoos should be provided with proper environmental conditions, similar to their natural environment, and should be free of stress stimuli. In meerkats (Suricata suricatta) kept in zoo conditions, aggressive behavior occurs most often at the feeding time, which is the main behavioral problem to solve. One of the possibilities used to improve the well-being of animals kept in zoos are environmental enrichments. The aim of the study was to use selected environmental enrichments in a meerkat’s run to eliminate aggressive behaviors between individuals at the feeding time. Two types of environmental enrichments were provided: related and non-related to feeding (6 enrichments in total). The observed animals were interested especially in enrichments related to feeding (hidden insect larvae), which is consistent with the natural behaviors of meerkats, as they actively search for food in soil, grass, and under rocks. A noticeable effect was also the calmer behavior of the animals in the second part of the day. Active search for food is a very good way to produce mental fatigue in animals; it provides not only food but also many other stimuli. This type of enrichment should be included in the typical conditions for maintaining this species in the zoo