This cache is located inside the Assiniboine Park Zoo and an entrance fee is required. Summer hours: Open at 9:00 AM and gates close at 4:30 PM. Winter hours: Open at 9:00 AM, and gates close at 3:30 PM. Please respect our plants and animals at the zoo. Please stay on paths and observe signs.
How do we ensure our animals are stimulated?
Assiniboine Park Zoo provides our animals with enrichment which helps to provide stimulation and foster curiosity. Like people, our animals need a variety of enrichment tools, or “toys”. They will rotate through a collection of different species appropriate items, so they do not become bored. Many enrichment items can encourage natural behaviours, such as climbing, tugging, or pouncing. That’s why you’ll see balls, barrels and other unusual items in some exhibits.
Enrichment can also include items called puzzle feeders, which requires an animal to use its mind and think of how it can access its food or treat. Other forms of enrichments can include using perfumes, spices, or hair from other species to provide new scents within exhibits. Even having a Zoo Day Camper rub their body against a toy or exhibit feature can provide a new scent for our animals. Some exhibits will have sound effects or music to provide auditory stimulation. Allowing animals to look into other habitats or even at zoo visitors provides them with stimulations as well.
Working with our animals through Positive Reinforcement Training, is another form of enrichment as an Animal Care Professional and the animal must both work together to problem solve the communication gap, so that the keeper can elicit the desired natural behaviour.
Geocaching is an excellent activity to stimulate your brain. This cryptex will tax you a bit more and is an excellent example of a typical field puzzle. Special thanks to Trycacheous for his help in building this cache... we LOVE it!