In a world where concrete walls and iron bars often replace the freedom of forests, the challenge of safeguarding animal welfare in captivity remains more important than ever. Recognizing this pressing need, the Rotaract Club of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, launched the third consecutive edition of its signature environmental initiative, WILDERVERSE 3.0, in collaboration with the National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala. The project was officially launched in 2022 and stood as a powerful continuation of the club’s commitment to environmental service and animal welfare.
At its core, WILDERVERSE 3.0 was designed to address the mental, emotional, and behavioral needs of animals residing in zoological facilities. While zoos serve an important role in conservation and education, many animals face challenges such as stress, monotony, and the inability to express their natural behaviors. The project team, composed entirely of undergraduate volunteers, guided by academic mentors and zoo authorities, sought to combat these conditions through a scientifically grounded process known as behavioral enrichment. This process involved creating activities and environmental modifications that stimulated animals’ natural instincts, enhanced their psychological health, and encouraged physical activity.
A Mission Rooted in Responsibility
Modern zoos have evolved from mere exhibition centers to institutions of conservation, education, and research. However, for many captive animals, daily life remains confined and monotonous. Enrichment, the process of providing animals with stimuli that mimic natural behaviors, has emerged as a vital practice in addressing the psychological and physical toll of captivity. WILDERVERSE 3.0 aimed to tackle this challenge head on. With guidance from academic experts and zoo officials, the project focused on two primary avenues:
1. Behavioral Enrichment Phase – Targeted mental and physical stimulation for 22 animal species across a 10 week period.
2. Public Awareness Phase – Educating the public on animal welfare, the evolution of zoological practices, and responsible zoo visitation.
Enrichment in Action: A Closer Look
Over the course of ten weeks, Rotaractors designed and implemented a wide range of enrichment activities tailored to the unique behaviors and preferences of animals at the zoo. Each week, a new set of animals was engaged through sensory, food based, and cognitive challenges.
- Big Cats like leopards, tigers, and lions were offered meat hidden inside cardboard boxes scented with vanilla essence and lime leaves, simulating a more natural hunting experience.
- Primates such as chimpanzees, capuchins, and langurs received frozen fruit popsicles, feeders, and foraging setups—sparking curiosity and social interactions.
- Birds including macaws, cassowaries, and emus pecked eagerly at suspended fruit rings, encouraging natural foraging and movement.
- Other species like porcupines, wild boars, otters, and capybaras were engaged through coconut leaf pouches, ice blocks with hidden treats, and scent trail challenges.
All enrichment materials were eco friendly and approved by veterinary professionals to ensure animal safety.
Educating Minds and Changing Hearts
Understanding that true transformation goes beyond enclosure bars, WILDERVERSE 3.0 dedicated equal effort to raising public awareness. This was carried out through:
– The Enrichment Diaries: A social media video series showcasing weekly enrichment highlights and animal responses, generating hundreds of engagements across platforms.
– A Three Part Educational Video Series:
1. The Evolution of Zoos – Tracing the transformation from entertainment to conservation.
2. What is Enrichment? – Explaining the science and significance behind the activities.
3. Dos and Don’ts at a Zoo – Promoting respectful and responsible visitor behavior.
Each video was scripted, filmed, and produced by the project team on site, blending authenticity with accessibility to reach a broad and diverse audience.
Beyond the Bars: Expanding the WILDERVERSE
What made WILDERVERSE 3.0 stand out wasn’t just the action, it was the intention. With limited resources but limitless passion, the team proved that real impact doesn’t always require grand budgets, just a grand vision.
Yet, the journey doesn’t end here. As the project continues to grow, so does the dream. Future iterations aim to:
- Reintroduce the Habitat Enrichment Phase which was paused due to external constraints.
- Include a wider variety of animal species, reaching even more lives within the zoo.
- Create volunteering opportunities for the public, not just university students, to foster community involvement in conservation.
- Strengthen collaborations with national and international wildlife bodies for greater impact.
A Wilder Tomorrow
WILDERVERSE 3.0 is more than a project, it’s a movement that blends science, compassion, and creativity. It’s a call to rethink captivity, to enrich not only the lives of animals but also the hearts of those who care for them.
With every box filled with hidden treats, every animal’s eyes lit up with curiosity, and every young Rotaractor who stepped into the zoo with purpose, WILDERVERSE 3.0 left behind something more than just a legacy. It left behind hope, a reminder that even in confined spaces, the wild spirit can thrive.
And so, the story continues. With more ideas, more people, and more animals to reach, WILDERVERSE 4.0 awaits.
By: Rtr.Thinithi Dimansa Edirisinghe and Rtr. Anudi Nisakya Rodrigo
Image credits: Members of Environmental Services Avenue
Leave a Reply