Enrichment is an important aspect of animal husbandry in zoos as it tries to make life at the zoo as natural and stimulating as possible. Its purpose is to induce as near to natural behaviour as possible as well as promoting mental and physical activity.

Put your design and production skills to the test by submitting new and exciting enrichment object for one of two animals found at Taronga Zoo Sydney.

The animals

• Dingoes
• Platypus

Competition details 

The competition is now open.

Competition requirements

• IDENTIFY and DEFINE - select one of the two chosen animals and use the enrichment competition resource to familiarise yourself with their needs
• RESEARCH and PLAN - it is important to have sound knowledge of the species’ natural behaviours and physiology when developing an enrichment object. Undertake further research about the animal as well as existing enrichment designs and materials before designing a device that will encourage natural behaviour as well as promoting mental and physical activity

NOTE: the enrichment object must be able to be added and removed from the animals' exhibit.

• PRODUCE and IMPLEMENT – prototype or create your enrichment design
• TEST and EVALUATE – use the enrichment design checklist found within the competition resource to ensure your design meets all the criteria

The Enrichment Competition Resource is also a great tool to help build an understanding on the animals to design enrichment for, different examples of enrichment to help spark creativity, and also introduce Taronga's behavioural scientist team that judges the entries.

The winning enrichment designs will be judged by a panel of Behavioural Scientists and Zoo Keepers from Taronga Zoo Sydney.

Chosen designers will receive FREE entry for their whole class to visit Taronga Zoo Sydney, meet the judges and observe their enrichment object being given to their chosen animal.

Read the full competition Terms & Conditions.

Dingo

Winner

Kai, (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Highly Commended

• Hugo (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
• Isla (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
• Nathan (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
• Xavier (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
• Elyse (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Platypus

Winner

Elizabeth - St Columba's Leichhardt North

Highly Commended

• Lachlan (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
• Francis (St Columba's Primary School Leichhardt)
• Taj (Avalon Public School)
• Damia (Hunters Hill High School)

Sun Bear Enrichment

Winner: Kai- St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware

Highly Commended: 

Charlotte - St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware

Ethan -St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School Woolooware

Echidna Enrichment

Winner: Allegra - St Columba's Catholic Primary School Leichhardt North

Highly Commended:

Matteo - St Columba's Catholic Primary School Leichhardt North

Leila - St Anthony of Padua Catholic College Australia 

Otter Enrichment

Winner: Elanor- St Ambrose Primary School Concord West

Highly Commended

Sahnza- Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School

Alyssa- Holy Family Primary School

Cotton Top Tamarin

Winner: Molly- St Columba's Primary School Leichhardt North

Highly Commended

Max- Holy Family Primary School

Thank you to all 200 students from Years 1-10 who entered this year's STEM Enrichment Design Competition. The judges had the hard task of picking this year's winners and highly commended participants. Congratulations to all who participated and to our lucky prize winners:

Pygmy Marmoset

Winner

Marcus, Stage 1 - St Michael's Catholic Primary School Belfield

Highly Commended

Zoe, Stage 4 - Casimir Catholic College

Brooklyn, Stage 3 - Cromer Public School

Emily, Stage 2 - Westmead Public School

Meerkat

Winner

Ruby, Stage 3 - Beacon Hill Public School

Highly Commended

• Ava, Stage 3 - Clovelly Public School
• Nectaria, Stage 3 - MLC School Burwood
• Aaron, Stage 2 - Baulkham Hills North Public School