The capuchins and squirrel monkeys at the Living Links Centre at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will be treated to some egg-stra special Easter enrichment on Friday 25 March.
It’s not just kids who get excited about receiving Easter eggs; the troops of primates at Living Links will be just as egg-cited to receive a selection of brightly coloured, animal-friendly Easter eggs. The keepers have prepared a bounty of boiled eggs dipped in food colouring, which they will hide in the outdoor areas of the Living Links Centre for the capuchins and squirrel monkeys to find.
Donald Gow, Team Leader for Living Links and Budongo at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “The squirrel monkeys and capuchins will love their Easter treats, as boiled eggs are one their favourite types of food. By hiding the eggs in their outdoor enclosure it acts as enrichment as it stimulates the primates’ natural foraging abilities. They are also very inquisitive animals and will enjoy searching for their brightly coloured treats.”
For people who would like to get creative and try their hand at making Easter-themed enrichment, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will be holding an enrichment-making session on Saturday 26 March from 10am-12 noon where visitors will be able make fun, Easter enrichment for the animals. Afterwards, visitors will be able to watch the keepers give the animals their egg-cellent enrichment. Meerkats will be the first to receive their enrichment at 11:30am, followed by chimpanzees at 11:45am, otters at 12pm, vultures at 12:30pm, Barbary macaques at 12:45pm, Visayan warty pigs at 1pm, Living Links at 2pm, sun bears at 2:30pm, Monkey House at 3pm, birds’ aviary at 3:30pm and finally the rhino at 4pm. For more information visit RZSS Edinburgh Zoo’s website at: http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/events-and-experiences/
Enrichment promotes appropriate natural behaviours, such as foraging for food and nesting. RZSS Edinburgh Zoo has its very own enrichment team dedicated to making sure the animals get plenty of stimulation and chances to express their natural behaviours.
The Zoo needs a constant supply of materials to use as enrichment for the animals. RZSS Edinburgh Zoo has an Amazon wishlist which contains a number of specific items which they would like for the animals at the Zoo.
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