Lyon College Partners with Little Rock Zoo for Innovative ‘Animal Enrichment’ Course
Lyon College recently embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with the Little Rock Zoo to offer a new ‘Animal Enrichment’ course. This joint effort aims to provide undergraduate students with hands-on educational experiences, focusing on animal welfare and conservation.
As part of this unique partnership, students will learn how to design and implement enrichment programs for various animal species. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, catering to students interested in pursuing careers related to animal care and enrichment.
In the summer, a biology major named Alison Koons piloted the course by working with the zoo’s elephants. Koons created mats out of firehose material to conceal food items, allowing the elephants to engage in natural foraging behaviors. This project demonstrated the effectiveness of enrichment programs in promoting the physical and mental well-being of captive animals.
The course, taught by Dr. Mary Jones and Dr. Britt Florkiewicz, combines lectures with hands-on lab activities. Students will have the opportunity to work with multiple animal species, including monkeys, penguins, zebras, snakes, and more. The partnership between Lyon College and the Little Rock Zoo reflects a shared commitment to providing innovative educational experiences while promoting animal conservation.
Students interested in enrolling in the course can contact Dr. Jones or Dr. Florkiewicz for more information. This partnership promises to provide students with exceptional learning opportunities and long-lasting memories.
