ANIMAL ENRICHMENT AUTOMATION

Abstract

Many zoos aim to provide the best care for their animals as it is important not only for the zoo to flourish, but for their animals to also adapt and maintain happiness while in their habitats. To do so, many zoos develop enrichment programs to benefit their animals. These programs are designed to help improve overall life quality for their animals as it encourages the animals to act accordingly to their natural species’ specific behaviors. The current system includes items that appeal to them in different forms and at different times throughout the day to encourage the animal’s natural instincts. This, however, is not ideal for the zoo as the amount of enrichment provided is limited and lacks choice for the animal. Therefore, Reid Park Zoo desires a new fully automated enrichment program for their jaguar enclosure that will optimize the jaguar’s quality of life by providing multiple opportunities and activities for enrichment on the animal’s own terms. To provide this autonomous animal enrichment system, our proposed design utilizes PIR sensors, power relays, mesh communication networks and timers. From the perspectives of systems engineers, electrical and computer engineers, mechanical engineers, and biosystems engineers, an autonomous system was designed to intake animal motion and output power to connected enrichment devices. Our completed system is seven pounds, weatherproof, and has a detection range of one to 16.4ft. Overall, the system satisfies the requirements set by the zoo and most importantly improves the life of the jaguar.