#environmentalenrichment

An ambassador #aardvark at the #omahazoo digs into a small planted area while zoo guests watch. Harness training allows zoo animals to get valuable #environmentalenrichment and #exercise by exploring zoo grounds with their handlers, while visitors get to observe natural behaviors like digging prowess of an aardvark up close. #zooanimals #harnesstraining #enrichment (at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrV5v4WB4H1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pr2aql8xekbl

Leadbottom the #andeancondor had a ball with his #enrichment one warm fall day at the #zoo in Los Angeles. As scavengers, #condors have strong necks and a hooked beak adapted for ripping apart carcasses - or milk jugs, in this case! Andean condors also have one of the largest wingspans of any living #bird species, which he kindly showed off for the camera while having his fun. Turn up your volume to hear @cocoachuffs cooing her adoration at this big handsome man. #lazoo #losangeleszoo #condor #zooanimals #environmentalenrichment #birdlovers (at Los Angeles Zoo)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGHH6LhuYK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5gkcyltinnn2

#asianelephant Nellie lifts her trunk and takes a long drink from the stream of a #firehose courtesy of the @miamidadefirerescue team! Enriching the lives of #zoo animals is all about providing novel stimuli, and bringing a #firetruck on zoo grounds to hose down the elephants certainly counts as a unique experience. This particular #environmentalenrichment experience was part of a demonstration put on by the zoo for attendees of the #elephantmanagersassociation conference. #askmeaboutelephants #asianelephant #zooelephant #onlyelephantsshouldwearivory (at Zoo Miami)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZIyl5AsuZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zll4tea43es

A #lion at the #oregonzoo munches on what’s left of a whole carcass. The lions get fed #meat every day, but once a month, they get two whole carcasses as #enrichment! He’s already gorged himself on this calf, but wasn’t willing to give up what was left to the #lionesses yet. Feeding out whole carcasses help keep predators’ jaws healthy and strong, keep the animals active, encourage natural social dynamics within the pride, and educates guests about the reality of top predators and the circle of life. #zooanimals #predators #environmentalenrichment #felidae #cats #wholeprey #gore #deadanimal (at Oregon Zoo)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoDFL9Wggo_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tpeohvfdib4i

Two male #beluga at the #sheddaquarium play with a rubber ring #enrichment item. They spent easily half an hour dragging around their pool, balancing it on their rostrums and diving through it. In the first photo, you can see how flexible their necks are; the cervical vertebrae in #belugawhales are not fused (unlike most #cetaceans ) which is likely an adaptation that helps them maneuver under ice. #whales #belugawhale #adaptation #animaladaptations #environmentalenrichment (at Shedd Aquarium)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHg9FUAoHW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q88bdzu3oldl