Linking Personality and Performance in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) During Computerized Cognitive Enrichment

Cognitive enrichment is increasingly recognized as an important component of marine mammal welfare, offering animals opportunities for choice, problem solving, and sustained engagement. Personality research has also shown that stable individual differences can influence how animals interact with enrichment, training, and their environment. This study examined how trainer-assessed personality traits related to interaction patterns with a computerized enrichment system in California sea lions (<i>Zalophus californianus</i>). Using validated personality surveys, reliability testing, and hierarchical clustering, trait structures were derived and compared with objective, system-generated gameplay measures. Analyses revealed meaningful associations that emphasize the value of considering temperament when designing enrichment and welfare programs. By integrating personality assessment with technology-based enrichment systems, this work demonstrates how individualized approaches can enhance welfare and provide new insights into enrichment design and animal cognition. Although limited in scope and sample size, the findings suggest that computerized enrichment has potential as both a welfare tool and a research platform, with value in considering personality and individual variation for broader applications across species and settings.