Some of our animals have been exploring their very own ice lolly.

 

 

The giant blackcurrant flavoured ice lolly was made by keepers as part of our behavioural enrichment programme. Keepers hoped the ice lolly would help cool the animals down in the summer heat, as well as encourage the animals’ natural behaviour and curiosity.

 

 

The southern white rhinos, Hannu, Sula and Kiri showed some interest and even pushed the ice around a little. Marmaduke, the Bactrian camel, needed a bit more encouragement from a Head Keeper to convince him to investigate the new object. Whilst the ring tailed coatis explored the ice once it had been broken up into smaller bite sizes pieces.

 

 

Through-out the year, keepers use a wide variety of specially created enrichment techniques, as keeper Mark Humble explains: “All animals have a natural instinct to investigate new objects and explore unusual smells and textures. Even if they choose not to explore it, it’s still important as they have made that choice for themselves.”

 

28 August 2009

 

 

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