🐻1.4 CBRC: Creating Food Enrichment for Black Bears

Creating effective food enrichment for black bears requires both innovation and precision. These animals are highly intelligent, which means they quickly lose interest in repetitive designs, making it essential to constantly adapt and refine our methods. At CBRC, we source all enrichment materials from the surrounding forest, meaning no pre-made food tubes—everything must be crafted from raw materials.

The first step is to cut bamboo tubes to the appropriate length. This is labor-intensive and requires skill, as the saw is difficult to control, but precision is key to creating stable, functional structures. After cutting, I will tie the bamboo tubes together using durable cloth ropes, ensuring they're securely fastened. Finally, I fill the tubes with food, keeping in mind the need to vary the content and presentation to maintain engagement.

Every detail must be carefully considered. Designing these enrichments requires creativity, as bears quickly adapt and tire of familiar setups. Therefore, I usually spend considerable time brainstorming and testing new approaches to keep the bears mentally stimulated and physically active when I’m on the bus back home.