How 'positive' stress could improve the welfare of zoo animals

For centuries, pelicans have called St James's Park in London home, but their recent history has been marked by an unprecedented event – the hatching of their first chicks in the park’s history. Breeding pelicans in zoos is a complex task that requires the right environmental and social conditions. Rather than merely being content, these birds need to face and react to cues that signal courtship, nesting, and reproduction.

This is a crucial aspect of an animal's life. The current breeding at St James's Park offers a fascinating illustration of how responding to biologically relevant stressors is beneficial for animals. Various factors, including the heat wave, flock dynamics, and individual bird compatibility, seem to have combined to create the ideal conditions for the first time in centuries.

My research has highlighted the significance of positive stress, or eustress, in improving the welfare of zoo and aquarium animals. This beneficial response to stressors, where "eu" is the Greek prefix for "good," is essential for the well-being of captive animals. Courtship, reproduction, and chick-rearing are natural stressors that can provide learning opportunities, enhance an animal's behavioral repertoire, and improve their ability to cope with adverse situations.

Zoos can incorporate small challenges into everyday care, such as hiding food in different locations, introducing new scents and materials, and providing varied ground materials and surfaces. These enrichments encourage animals to explore their enclosures and use resources in new ways, promoting meaningful challenges that reflect their natural ecology.

Implementing these strategies can enhance the autonomy and overall welfare of zoo animals without making their lives unnecessarily difficult.