LEARNING HOW TO PLAN ENRICHMENT
1. BRAINSTORM
The first step of the enrichment planning process is to establish a goal and brainstorm ideas. Some factors to consider are:
• Cost: Is the expense within our means?
• Resources: Are the resources readily available? Where can the resources be acquired? How long would it take to gather the resources? Do we have the necessary equipment to build the enrichment?
• Feasibility: How difficult is the enrichment to produce and maintain? Can it be easily installed and taken down?
• Durability: Will it be durable enough to withstand all intended and unintended usage?
• Behaviors: What kind of naturally occurring behavior is this enrichment promoting and how might it provide the chimps with a challenge?
2. PROPOSAL
Once an idea has been established, a proposal form is filled out, and the idea goes to the Enrichment Committee to be reviewed.
3. PLAN
A step-by-step action plan is then created to guide the construction of the enrichment, provide an estimated cost, and the resources required.
4. PROTOTYPE
Now that a plan has been established, it’s time to design and build a prototype. No matter how much planning you do, it’s hard to consider every factor. So we create a model to simulate how the enrichment will function and determine if any changes need to be made.
5. TEST
After the prototype has been approved and has undergone safety checks, we offer the enrichment to a group of chimps to see if they like it.
6. IMPROVE
If the test goes well and the chimps engage with the enrichment, we look to see if any improvements can be made to enhance the quality and reduce the cost.
7. PRODUCE
We'll then produce the enrichments on a larger scale, add it to our enrichment schedule, and begin introducing it to the rest of the chimps.
8. Analyze
Like humans, chimps get bored too, so we regularly assess the enrichments to see how well they do over time. If the chimps continue to enjoy the enrichment, we'll keep using it. Otherwise, we'll switch it out for something else.
SHARE YOUR IDEAS
Want to help enrich the lives of the chimpanzees?
Please send us your ideas by filling out the form below. After completing the form, email it to info@projectchimps.org and we will be in touch after the Enrichment Committee has met and discussed your idea! Consider challenging a scout or school group to come up with several ideas and submit the best one.
Our goal is to ensure each individual chimpanzee experiences the best quality of life and enjoys an enriching retirement at the sanctuary.
Won't You Help?
This project would not be possible without our many generous individual supporters and volunteers. We rely on donations to fulfill our mission, including caring for our existing residents and expanding the sanctuary to accommodate those chimpanzees still waiting in the lab.
Won’t you help us bring the remaining chimps to sanctuary by supporting Project Chimps today? Please donate today because...