What is Animal Enrichment?

Enrichment is very important for everyone!  Do you like playing video games or going for walks in the park?  These are things that people do for enrichment.  Animals love enrichment just as much as people.  Animal enrichment involves making items which encourage animals to exhibit their natural behaviors.  It could be something as simple as spreading their food around their enclosure, or giving them an item with an interesting new smell .  The zoo keepers and education staff work very hard every day to make good enrichment items that are fun for the animals.  These items give the animals something to ocupy their mind and encourage them to be more active.  Next time you are at the zoo check for some enrichment items hiding in the animals' exhibits.

How Can I Help?

You can donate items to the zoo that can be used for animal enrichment.  Below is a list of items that can be donated for enrichment use.  Please contact the zoo before bringing any of these items. 

 Newspaper

Paper bags                                       

Jute Twine                  

 Tempra Paint (kid-safe, Non-toxic)

Dixie Cups (No Wax coating)                               

Food Items:

 Cereal- Regular Cheerios (new, unopened)

 Flour (all purpose)

Jello (Sugar Free-no RED)

Spices

Other items:

Empty beer kegs

Empty 55 gal barrels (no chemicals)

Animal Sound Cd's ( Rainforest, Ocean, etc.)                                 

Cotton Towels                                                                                       

Pillow cases                                                                                   

PVC - caps, elbows, pipes, etc.-Any Diameter 3'-4' length pieces

TV, VCR, DVD Player

Radios   

Please contact the zoo at (330) 375-2550 before bringing any of these items for donations.