Timed Insect Feeder
Problem statement
When living in the same enclosure for potentially years on end, Zoo animal’s mental and physical health begins to deteriorate. In an effort to make feeding the animals more engaging to avoid stagnation, zookeepers will manually scatter live bugs into enclosures. This is time consuming and can be physically taxing on the zookeeper. The timed insect feeder project aims to create an affordable and automated device for zoos that enhances animal well-being by supporting natural feeding behaviors. The device will be programmed to randomly dispense live mealworms onto the ground, once at sunrise and intermittently throughout the day, delivering a minimum of 1/3 cup of bugs per daily cycle to emulating natural foraging patterns and providing mental stimulation for the animals. To prevent animals from accessing or tampering with the bugs, the feeder will incorporate features to deter interference. The device will be independently powered to ensure reliable operation and will prioritize ease of cleaning, reloading, and assembly for zookeepers. While a universal design is the goal, the primary focus is on ensuring the feeder is highly effective for feeding birds at the Henry Vilas Zoo.
Team members
Adam Neidhold – facilitator
Jack Ohly – communicator
Jay Yoo – accountant
Thomas Munson – admin
Client
Lauren Keltner
Zoo Keeper, Henry Vilas Zoo