Umigomi Enrichment Project, shared for the ABMA's 2026 Behaviour Month

The Umigomi Enrichment Project (UEP) is a US-based nonprofit founded by former zoo keepers who traded the zoo world for military life but couldn’t leave conservation behind. Stationed in rural northern Japan, they noticed heartbreaking amounts of derelict fishing gear, a majority of which being hard plastic buoys, washing up on local beaches and saw an opportunity where others saw trash. • The mission: Volunteer-powered beach cleanups collect and ship buoys • The impact: Processed buoys are donated to zoos, wildlife rescues, pet shelters, and more to be used as environmental enrichment devices • The outreach: Buoys that aren’t animal safe are used at events across the Midwest, teaching kids about sustainable seafood and showing that you don't need to live near the ocean to help make waves for wildlife