Zoos have a long, sordid history of maintaining animals in barren
cages, but have since discovered happy, healthy animals reproduce better,
live longer, and exhibit more natural behaviors than their historic
counterparts housed in barren cages.  Allowing the animal to live in a
complex environment similar to the one their species evolved in is part
of the solution.  While ferrets (mustelids) are from a different family
than mongooses (viverids), because of convergent evolution they share a
suite of similar behavioral, intellectual, and physical characteristics.
Dwarf mongooses are social, daytime (diurnal) animals, the opposite of
ferrets, so they are more popular with a viewing public--consequently,
zoos tend to display them more often.  At the St. Louis Zoo, dwarf
mongooses have been housed with wonderful success in complex outdoor
enclosures that greatly resemble their natural environment in Africa.
They are healthier, show far less stereotypic behaviors, reproduce
better, and display natural behaviors (as shown in the photos) when
compared to dwarf mongooses housed in barren environments.
http://homepage.mac.com/billgruber/fml/mongoose.html
 
Widely supported zoo-based research has shown captive intelligent animals
fare better when experiencing surroundings that approximate the natural
environments in which their ancestors (progenitors) evolved.  Polecats
evolved in woodland environments containing streams and lakes, quite
similar to New England forests.  These are complex environments,
requiring the polecat to use multiple sensory systems (sight, smell,
hearing, etc.) and brainpower (memory, problem-solving) in order to
survive.  Enrichment programs that challenge animals in similar ways are
most effective in reducing stress and other problems.  Mickey Moose is
exploring a brand new feature in a familiar landscape, thanks to a spring
storm, lightning strike, and a restacked woodpile.  Notice MM's facial
expression, posture, cocked ears, forward-pointing whiskers, and alert
gaze--all signs of an alert, attentive ferret.  MM is figuring out how to
obtain a piece of dried salmon, hanging from a string, ALMOST out of
reach.  The combination of outdoors situation, new smells and sights,
unfamiliar circumstances, and problem solving to obtain a favored treat
has created a complex and enriching experience for Mickey Moose's
benefit.
http://homepage.mac.com/billgruber/fml/mmoose.html
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 4197]