Animal Enrichment Day~

Saturday was Animal Enrichment Day at the Cleveland, Ohio,  Metroparks Zoo.  We were the guests of friend Dolly (who had adopted my foster pug Eema), a docent at the zoo.  She volunteers on a regular basis and we learned so much about the animals from her!

Here's Jake with his best monkey impression.  I'd say he did a fine job.

From the Cleveland Zoo website . . . "The Zoo's annual Creature Comforts event is your chance to see some of the more unique "enrichment" activities keepers use to enhance the lives of the animals and keep them healthy both mentally and physically.  Past demonstrations have included papier-mache prey for predators to on pounce on, a "beehive" stuffed with treats on a bungee cord for the sloth bear and a puzzle feeder for the octopus to solve."  

Jake loves to take pictures and was determined to get a picture of the beaver.  He was having a heck of a time as they swim pretty darned fast!

Feeding the giraffe.

One of the adult eastern black rhinoceros.  There is a one month old baby, Juba (which means "brave" in Swahili), but he was not outside when we visited the area.

The koala exhibit was one of my favorites.  This is momma with her baby tucked under her arm.  Sweet!

Jake feeding the lorikeet. 

A meerkat standing guard watching for predators while the others played and dug in the dirt.

Jake and I were so fortunate to have such a personalized tour of the zoo.  We spent 7 hours there and my dogs were barkin' by the time we left.  As we were pulling out of the parking lot, Jake asked me if they were going to do this again next year and he wanted to come.  It was a great experience to share with Jake and a big THANK YOU to Dolly.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pug hugs :)
Lauren