Animals at Brookfield Zoo Receive Holiday-themed Enrichment
Brookfield, Ill. — In celebration of the festive season, several of Brookfield Zoo’s animals were treated to holiday-themed enrichment by the animal care staff this week. Norman, a Cape porcupine, was given wrapped boxes that he opened to get at his nutritious treats that included lettuce and peanuts. The Zoo’s grey seals—Kiinaq, Georgie, Celia, Peanut, and Fisher—seemed to thoroughly enjoy their gelatin and ice treats adorned with fish. And, Heidi and Sophia, two of the Zoo’s orangutans, received wreaths decorated with yogurt and pasta dyed with safe food coloring as well as wrapped boxes that contained some of their favorite food items—craisins, yogurt balls, and nuts.
The animal care specialists are always thinking of ways to physically and mentally stimulate the animals at Brookfield Zoo. One way is by providing them with enrichment items they normally do not receive on a regular basis.
Those looking for a family-fun activity, can head to Brookfield Zoo for the final days of its Holiday Magic. More than two million LED lights illuminate the park, and many of the animals can be seen too. Remaining dates are December 22-23 and 26-31, from 3 to 9 p.m.
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Photo Captions (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
1666 and 1710: Norman, a Cape porcupine at Brookfield Zoo, unwraps his holiday-themed enrichment to get to the treats inside.
1879 and 1921: Kiinaq, one of Brookfield Zoo’s grey seal, seemed to thoroughly enjoy his holiday-themed enrichment made of gelatin, ice, and fish the animal care staff made for him and the other pinnipeds.
2085: A grey seal at Brookfield Zoo named Celia takes a bite into her holiday-themed ice and gelatin cake.
2198: Heidi, an orangutan at Brookfield Zoo, enjoys a wreath adorned with festively colored yogurt and pasta for a holiday enrichment treat.
2216 and 2242: Heidi, one of Brookfield Zoo’s orangutans, surrounded by an array of holiday-themed enrichment boxes that she unwraps to get at the nutritious treats inside.
About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. The Zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, and CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.