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Animal Enrichment Weekend Provided by Maryland Zoo  |
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 Visitors to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore on July 19th and 20th will notice some unusual items in several of the exhibits with the animals including honey, Gatorade, and paper mache! It’s all part of the Zoo’s Animal Enrichment Weekend - a kick off to National Zoo Keepers Week. Enrichment activities help enhance the care that keepers provide for Zoo animals, by adding variety and stimulation to the animals’ daily routines and encouraging natural behaviors. Among the enrichment activities that guests will see are:
· 10:30 a.m. - Samson the baby elephant turns 4-months-old on the 19th, and he and Felix will get special birthday watermelons to celebrate!
· 11:30 a.m. - The Zoo’s river otters will receive ice treats with fish inside. Are they clever enough to figure out how to get the fish out of the ice?
· Noon - The chimpanzees will have to find a way to use tools to get honey out of a specially designed feeder.
· 1:30 p.m. - Polar bears Alaska and Magnet will get ice treats made up of Gatorade and fish.
· 1:30 p.m. - The keepers on Rock Island will be blowing bubbles for the penguins to chase as if they were chasing insects for food.
· 2:00 p.m. - Elephants Dolly and Anna will go on the hunt for food that’s been hidden around their exhibit. They’ll also receive ice treats.
· 2:30 p.m. - Keepers will spray scents of spices or perfume around the leopards’ exhibit to stimulate their sense of smell and they will also be getting a life-like paper mache antelope to “hunt!”
Zoo guests will also have the opportunity to get involved with the enrichment activities. Some lucky visitors will be chosen to throw fish to the otters and polar bears. Kids can also stop by a special station where they can use non-toxic markers and crayons to decorate paper bags to be used as enrichment for the animals. Keepers will then fill those bags with items such as food, straw, or toys, and give them to the animals at a later date. Guests can also visit a station where several enrichment items, including boomer balls and puzzle feeders, will be on display.
The Animal Enrichment Weekend activities are and free with general admission to the Zoo. Zoo members get free admission every day! Weekend Zoo admission is $15 for ages 12-64; $12 for seniors ages 65 and older; $10 for children ages 2-11; children under 2 are always free.
Buy tickets on-line and save! Tickets can be purchased every day online for the weekday reduced rate! The weekday and online rate is $11 for ages 12-64; $10 for seniors ages 65 and older; $9 for children ages 2-11. Tickets purchased online are good for up to one year from date of purchase. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org or call (410)366-LION (5466). The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is located in Druid Hill Park. The Zoo is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
About The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
Founded in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo’s varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children’s Zoo. Situated in Druid Hill Park near downtown Baltimore, the Zoo is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.
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