So I'm an intern at the zoo and one of the projects that I have to do is make a creative toy/enrichment item (something they will find entertaining) to give to one of the animals I work with. I really want to make an impressive toy but so far my mind has been drawing a blank about what to give them. Here's a little bit of info about each of the animals I work with:
Polar bear: her current toys are thick plastic blocks (think giant ice cubes), balls, burlap sacks, thick ropes, and thick plastic rings. She really likes peanut butter, honey, yams, and obviously meat. Sometime we will give her pine cones covered in honey and she loves them. She has a large pool in her exhibit and also a large grassy area. There really are no limitations in terms of the material the toy I can make her. During christmas she gets christmas trees to tear up. The toy can be something intricate to hide food in that she can mess with.
Lions: they really like soccer sized balls. They also have large pieces of wood to chew on. They can't have anything made of thin plastic or fabric. I was thinking maybe something with feathers to attract them but I couldn't think of what.
Baboons: they love ripping open boxes! Everyday their food is hidden in boxes for them to find and open. I was hoping to make some sort of intricate puzzle box for them to figure out but I'm open to suggestions as to what the design should be. They also like picking things out of holes, in their exhibit there is a giant tree stump with holes drilled into it and they like picking food out of it. Basically they would enjoy any type of toy a five year old or younger would enjoy.
Anteater: they like ripping things apart with their long claws. They don't really have any actual toys besides pieces of wood that they tear apart. They also like oranges because they can rip them apart too.
Andean bears: pretty much will get into anything. They have some sticks and pastic balls to play with but I think they could really use more interesting toys.
Tapir: doesn't have any toys. He likes veggies and swimming in his exhibit pool. Can nudge around at things with his nose pretty well.
Capybara: Not really sure what they guys might like. They are pretty shy. I know they like the water though.
Any suggestions for any or all of these animls would be great. If I like your idea I might just make it and be able to give it to them, and then I can let you know what they do with it. Thank you!!!
Polar bear: her current toys are thick plastic blocks (think giant ice cubes), balls, burlap sacks, thick ropes, and thick plastic rings. She really likes peanut butter, honey, yams, and obviously meat. Sometime we will give her pine cones covered in honey and she loves them. She has a large pool in her exhibit and also a large grassy area. There really are no limitations in terms of the material the toy I can make her. During christmas she gets christmas trees to tear up. The toy can be something intricate to hide food in that she can mess with.
Lions: they really like soccer sized balls. They also have large pieces of wood to chew on. They can't have anything made of thin plastic or fabric. I was thinking maybe something with feathers to attract them but I couldn't think of what.
Baboons: they love ripping open boxes! Everyday their food is hidden in boxes for them to find and open. I was hoping to make some sort of intricate puzzle box for them to figure out but I'm open to suggestions as to what the design should be. They also like picking things out of holes, in their exhibit there is a giant tree stump with holes drilled into it and they like picking food out of it. Basically they would enjoy any type of toy a five year old or younger would enjoy.
Anteater: they like ripping things apart with their long claws. They don't really have any actual toys besides pieces of wood that they tear apart. They also like oranges because they can rip them apart too.
Andean bears: pretty much will get into anything. They have some sticks and pastic balls to play with but I think they could really use more interesting toys.
Tapir: doesn't have any toys. He likes veggies and swimming in his exhibit pool. Can nudge around at things with his nose pretty well.
Capybara: Not really sure what they guys might like. They are pretty shy. I know they like the water though.
Any suggestions for any or all of these animls would be great. If I like your idea I might just make it and be able to give it to them, and then I can let you know what they do with it. Thank you!!!