Enrichment Day is Saturday, September 13, and you need to ask yourself just one question: Have you been enriched lately? If not, you need to head out to Riverbanks Zoo for a healthy dose of animal enrichment. Timed enrichment encounters will begin at 10am with the grizzly bears and continue with a new animal every 30 minutes until 4pm. Learn-and-do stations will line the Enrichment Plaza. Discover which animals make the wildest noises when you play “Look Who’s Talking,” make enrichment to take home to your pets – decorate a dog bone for the dog or plant some cat nip for the cat – and receive a temporary tattoo featuring your favorite animal. You won’t want to miss the silent auction either. Prizes are unique to Riverbanks – you may end up in the grizzly bear barn or get up-close and personal with our sea lions. “Enrichment Day is a day devoted to providing stimulating and interactive treats to the animals on exhibit so guests can watch as the animals respond and react,” said Sue Pfaff, assistant curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “Enrichment Day allows the public to see the animals behave in ways they probably don’t see on a typical visit to Riverbanks.” During the timed enrichment encounters, the animals will receive vibrantly decorated papier-mâché creations created by the dedicated volunteer enrichment committee. These treats are filled with sugar-free Jell-O jigglers, sugar-free candy and species-specific goodies. The objects given to the animals are designed to stimulate their senses and encourage natural behaviors. The physical and mental stimulation created by these activities help maintain the health and well being of the animals. Enrichment is part of the everyday routine at Riverbanks. Animals are enriched on exhibit in natural ways that are not always visible to the public. The keepers use scents and spices to entice the large cats, re-arrange exhibits to engage the reptiles and hide food for some animals so they have to forage for it. “Enrichment is part of a healthy regimen when caring for animals in captivity,” said Pfaff. “We want to be sure we are keeping the animals active and engaged to support their well being. Sharing enrichment with the public is an added bonus!” All Enrichment Day activities are free with paid admission to Riverbanks. For more information about Enrichment Day or to learn how you can get involved with the enrichment committee, visit http://www.riverbanks.org/. All proceeds from the silent auction go directly to providing the animals with new enrichment opportunities. Enrichment Day Schedule
10:00am—Grizzly Bears
10:30am—Sea Lions
11:00am—Penguins
11:30am—Gorillas
12:00pm—Goats
12:30pm—Aquarium Dive
1:00pm—Meerkats
1:30pm—Bird Flight Show
2:00pm—Alligator
2:30pm—Hyenas
3:00pm—Elephants
3:30pm—Tigers
4:00pm—Galapagos Tortoises
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