Effect of environmental enrichment strategies on stereotypic behaviour in captive asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)

Abstract

When a captive Asiatic lion paces the same circuit 400 times in a day, the welfare implications are unmistakable. Stereotypic behaviours—repetitive, invariant motor patterns with no apparent function—affect an estimated 50-80% of captive large felids and represent one of the most visible indicators of compromised welfare [1]. This research evaluated the effect of a structured environmental enrichment programme on stereotypic behaviour frequency in eight captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) housed at a zoological facility in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A 12-week intervention combining structural (elevated platforms, log barriers), sensory (novel scents, auditory stimuli), and feeding enrichment (puzzle feeders, scattered feeding) was implemented following a 4-week baseline observation period. Overall stereotypic behaviour declined by 63.7% (from 85.1 to 30.9 events/day, p < 0.001). Pacing showed the largest absolute reduction (42.3 to 14.8 events/hour, p < 0.001). Behavioural diversity index (Shannon’s H?) increased from 1.24 to 2.18 (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that multi-category enrichment programmes can substantially reduce stereotypic behaviour in captive Asiatic lions.