Dear MARMAM Colleagues,
On behalf of my co-authors, we are pleased to share our recently published paper on the benefits of environmental enrichment devices (EEDs) in the rehabilitation of stranded California sea lions and Northern elephant seals in the journal Animals as part of a special issue on the Advances in Marine Mammal Cognition and Cognitive Welfare. We had expected the sea lions to enjoy the EEDs, but were surprised and very impressed with how much enjoyment the elephant seal patients got out of them too! Kirsten Donald 1,*, Amanda Benedetti 1 , VinÃcius Donisete Lima Rodrigues Goulart 2 , Alissa Deming 1 , Hendrik Nollens 1,3 , Grey Stafford 4 and Sabrina Brando 5. 2023. Environmental Enrichment Devices Are Safe and Effective at Reducing Undesirable Behaviors in California Sea Lions and Northern Elephant Seals during Rehabilitation. Animals 2023, 13(7), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071222 This is available via open access online: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/7/1222 Abstract: Environmental enrichment devices (EEDs) have been proven to promote positive wellbeing in zoos and aquariums, and support animals' reintroduction success; however, their use in rehabilitation centers is still limited. This pilot study investigated the safety and efficacy of three EEDs, Artificial Kelp, Horse KONG(tm) and Wubba Kong(tm), and their ability to decrease and/or eliminate undesired stereotypic behaviors or looking at staff/staff areas in seven wild California sea lions (CSLs) and eight northern elephant seals (NESs) undergoing rehabilitation in Southern California. Observers conducted instantaneous sampling once a minute during a 30-min baseline, followed by a 30-min EED implementation on one focal animal at a time. The data were analyzed with generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). All three EEDs were found to be durable and safe throughout the study. Our results show a significant reduction in stereotypical behaviors compared to no EED treatments in CSLs, with the most significant effect being with the Horse KONG(tm). The Wubba KONG(tm) and Artificial Kelp provisions also reduced the undesired behavior in both species of being focused on human caretakers. Individual preferences for specific EEDs were found within species and between species, with the NESs using EEDs more than the CSLs. This study highlights the beneficial aspect of EEDs for pinnipeds in rehabilitation centers for improving their quality of life. Should you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact to contact me at kdon...@pacificmmc.org<mailto:kdon...@pacificmmc.org> Kind regards, [cid:image001.jpg@01D97E9E.45925210]<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> www.pacificmmc.org<http://www.pacificmmc.org/> Kirsten Donald Vice President of Education & Ocean Advocacy Marine Mammal Biologist MSc Marine Mammal Science She/her/hers (949) 494-3050 20612 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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