Feb 5, 2015

Zookeepers at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore provide animal enrichment everyday to keep them stimulated and doing things that come naturally. On special days, the animals and visitors get an added treat made possible by the zoo’s Enrichment Team. The team was formed in January 2006. The volunteers assemble once a month to make colorful paper maché animals, balloons and other containers that will be filled with meat or produce and given to the animals on “Enrichment Days.”

: January 25, 2015 – Betty Harris, Severna Park, covers a cardboard oat box as Ed Shevitz, Pikesvile, paints a 2 1/2 foot giraffe with a reticulated design. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Ed Shevitz, Pikesville, paints a 2 1/2 foot cardboard and paper mach giraffe with a reticulated pattern. He’s making items for upcoming animal enrichment demonstrations. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 Susan Landers, Baltimore, picks up one of the paper mach animals to be painted. She is a member of the Enrichment Team, a group of volunteers at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, that makes various items for animal enrichment. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Susan Landers, Baltimore, puts the finishing touches on her paper mach creation. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Susan Landers, Baltimore, cuts eyelashes from a cupcake liner. She is part of the Enrichment Team, a group of volunteers at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, who make items for animal enrichment. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Joleen Dinolt, Hampden, makes a large paper mache animal. She is a member of the Enrichment Team, a group of volunteers at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, that makes items for animal enrichment. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Joleen Dinolt, Hampden of the Enrichment Team, a group of volunteers at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, sticks newspaper dredged through flour and water onto cardboard ears. Dinolt is making a paper mache animal that will be used on an upcoming animal enrichment day. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Susan Landers, foreground, puts the finishing touches on her paper mach creation as Joleen Dinolt, Hampden, watches. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Ed Shevitz, Pikesville, paints a 2 1/2 foot cardboard and paper mach giraffe with a reticulated pattern. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: January 25, 2015 – Nancy Meier, Catonsville, spreads a glue made of flour and water on the back of a paper heart. Meier, a member of the Enrichment Team, a group of volunteers at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, is decorating paper gift bags animals will get for upcoming animal enrichment demonstrations. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: In February 2013 Hobbes, an African Leopard, predicts an early spring at the Maryland Zoo In Baltimore. Of two boxes, made by the zoo’s Enrichment Team containing a meat treat, he selected the one decorated with flowers representing spring. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: In February 2013, Pteri, an Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, predicts an early spring at the Maryland Zoo In Baltimore. Pteri overturned a box made by the zoo’s Enrichment Team that featured a winter motif leaving the spring box upright. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: In March 2011, Samson, an African elephant, celebrates his third birthday by eating one of the cakes made by the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore’s Enrichment Team as Mike McClure, general curator and elephant manager, watches. The cake is made of cornmeal, vegetables and fruit. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: This past October Christopher Vachon, Forest Hill, carries his son, Ethan Vachon, 21 months, who is dressed as a lion. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore’s along with the Enrichment Team put on the annual ZooBOOO! at Waterfowl Lake. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

They are preparing for five events between Valentine’s Enrichment Day on February 14 and Bunny Bonanzoo April 3-5. On a recent Sunday, the team was at work as they made between 10-30 items when they met. Julie Grove, Animal Behavior and Training Specialist, says the project began to increase the natural behaviors of the animals and in addition these special days increases the zoo’s guest experience.

Besides the paper maché and gift bags the team makes “cakes” for Samson and the other elephants to celebrate his birthday, popcorn for the elephants, and they create other items that challenge and provide fun for the animals.

“None of this ever would have been happening without the volunteers,” Grove says.

These are upcoming events from Jane Ballentine, Director of Public Relations

VALENTINE’S ENRICHMENT DAY
february 14│10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.│Zoo grounds
Love is in the air…Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special Valentine’s Day treats decorated in pinks, reds, and hearts. Zookeepers will be around to explain the importance of enrichment activities.

MARDI GRAS ENRICHMENT DAY
February 21│10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.│Zoo grounds
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special Mardi Gras treats decorated in bright New Orleans colors and listen as zookeepers explain the importance of enrichment activities.

ZOO BLOOM
March 14│10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.│
Come celebrate the start of another wild spring season at Zoo Bloom! Time to end your indoor hibernation and enjoy the first signs of spring at The Maryland Zoo. Join us as we kick off another season of fun and family memories with special spring treats, activities and giveaways and enrichment for the animals.

ST. PATRICK’S ENRICHMENT DAY
MARCH 22│10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.│Zoo grounds
Top O’the mornin to ya! The Zoo’s animals receive specially themed St. Patty’s Day treats decorated in the bright greens of Ireland. For the animals, the pot o’gold at the end of the rainbow might just be some tasty meat and fruit snacks hidden in wonderful paper mache creations.

MARY SUE® CANDIES BUNNY BONANZOO
april 3-5│10.00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.│ Waterfowl Lake Pavilion
The Easter Bunny has left some eggs behind at the Zoo! Join the Zoo family as we celebrate the holiday with this annual festival, complete with games, crafts, live entertainment, food and free egg hunts. Each child that participates in an egg hunt can redeem their found eggs for Mary Sue chocolate eggs! Tour around the Zoo and watch the animals get their Easter themed enrichment treats.

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT DAY
september 12│10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.│Zoo grounds
Come to the Zoo for a day of special animal enrichment! Watch as the Zoo’s animals receive special treats, such as bags filled with hay and produce, icy fish and fruit treats, as well as paper mache toys filled with fruits and nuts, and listen as zookeepers explain the importance of enrichment activities.

Maryland Zoo’s Enrichment Team

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