Spice-Based Olfactory Enrichment Increases Behavioural Diversity in Captive Felids: Individual Responses and Practical Implementation

Olfactory enrichment is recommended for captive felids, but systematic evidence on practical implementation in multiple species and institutions is limited. We evaluated a simple, keeper-safe scent diffuser delivering spice-based odours to captive lions (Panthera leo), tigers (Panthera tigris), jaguars (Panthera onca), leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and pumas (Puma concolor) at two zoological institutions in Johannesburg, South Africa. Behaviour was recorded during baseline and scent-exposure conditions in 23 individuals. Behavioural diversity (number of distinct behaviours per 15-min session) was the primary outcome. Engagement duration, latency to approach and individual response consistency were also quantified. Animals were exposed to a compound spice blend and four component spices (coriander, paprika, black pepper and garlic) and subsequently to decreasing concentrations of their most preferred scent. Behavioural diversity increased significantly during scent exposure at both institutions (1.9 times greater at Lory Park and 1.8 times greater at Johannesburg Zoo), with large effect sizes at both sites (Cohen’s d ≥ 1.2). Spice type did not significantly affect behavioural diversity, but individual animals showed consistent engagement preferences, approach latencies and response profiles during repeated exposures. Full odour concentrations showed significantly longer engagement durations than low concentrations at both institutions (approximately twofold at Lory Park and threefold at Johannesburg Zoo), but behavioural diversity did not differ significantly between concentration levels. No significant species differences were detected, indicating that assessment by individuals is more informative than species level predictions for enrichment planning. Spice-based diffusers provide a practical, low-cost enrichment tool suitable for multi-institutional implementation. Moreover, enrichment programmes should be evaluated and tailored at the individual animal level.