A zoo has revealed it sprays perfume in its big cat enclosures to encourage the animals to 'scent mark'
A zoo has revealed it sprays posh perfume and aftershave in its big cat enclosures to encourage the animals to 'scent mark' - and the more expensive the better.
Keepers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm douse the lion and tiger areas a couple of times a month with fragrances to coax out their natural behaviours.
Favourite brands include 'Obsession', Britney Spears' 'Circus' - and even 'Escape' by Calvin Klein.
They say that the scents help to draw out the animals' instincts, encouraging them to rub up against parts of their enclosure and explore - like they would in the wild.
The perfumes, which can sell for around £25 for 125ml bottle, are donated by the public - and the big cats have got expensive taste.
Keeper Emma Godsell said: "This is a way of encouraging their natural behaviours.
It keep them interested and makes them want to continue to explore.
"We have found that the more expensive and muskier the scent, the more the lions and tigers like it.
"It's a bit like cat nip for big cats.
Just a bit more pricey and upmarket.
"We have used 'Obsession' by Calvin Klein but was also use 'Escape' as they seem to like that too.
"The perfume and aftershaves is non-toxic to the animals, so perfect for this.
"Scent marking is a natural part of the behaviour of some of our animals and they react strongly to smells.
"The lions and tigers react like a normal cat would, with a lot of rubbing up against their enclosure and going and scent marking the area.
"In the wild they would react to the scent of other animals and it is the phereomone part of it which attracts their attention." Studies carried out in the USA show scents can help animals - especially when they have been relocated.
Emma added: "We use it not only for the tigers and lions but for our bears and koalas too." Other smelly items used include strong herbs and coffee granules.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a family-owned zoo set on a working farm over 100 acres in Wraxall, North Somerset.
It welcomes more than 170,000 visitors each year
A zoo has revealed it sprays posh perfume and aftershave in its big cat enclosures to encourage the animals to 'scent mark' - and the more expensive the better.
Keepers at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm douse the lion and tiger areas a couple of times a month with fragrances to coax out their natural behaviours.
Favourite brands include 'Obsession', Britney Spears' 'Circus' - and even 'Escape' by Calvin Klein.
They say that the scents help to draw out the animals' instincts, encouraging them to rub up against parts of their enclosure and explore - like they would in the wild.
The perfumes, which can sell for around £25 for 125ml bottle, are donated by the public - and the big cats have got expensive taste.
Keeper Emma Godsell said: "This is a way of encouraging their natural behaviours.
It keep them interested and makes them want to continue to explore.
"We have found that the more expensive and muskier the scent, the more the lions and tigers like it.
"It's a bit like cat nip for big cats.
Just a bit more pricey and upmarket.
"We have used 'Obsession' by Calvin Klein but was also use 'Escape' as they seem to like that too.
"The perfume and aftershaves is non-toxic to the animals, so perfect for this.
"Scent marking is a natural part of the behaviour of some of our animals and they react strongly to smells.
"The lions and tigers react like a normal cat would, with a lot of rubbing up against their enclosure and going and scent marking the area.
"In the wild they would react to the scent of other animals and it is the phereomone part of it which attracts their attention." Studies carried out in the USA show scents can help animals - especially when they have been relocated.
Emma added: "We use it not only for the tigers and lions but for our bears and koalas too." Other smelly items used include strong herbs and coffee granules.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is a family-owned zoo set on a working farm over 100 acres in Wraxall, North Somerset.
