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.
Why are predators and prey species next to each other within the zoo?
Placing animals of similar habitat areas is a common practice in zoos. It is a form of visual and olfactory enrichment. Animals can now see, smell, and interact (from a safe distance) with other animals that they might encounter within their range.
Some might consider it to be teasing, for a cougar to see an elk every day. Yet, that elk’s scent would already be naturally present in the cougar’s habitat. Keeping predators well fed ensures that they do not have a need to hunt, and therefore prey animals no longer become a food source. Many animals become accustomed to their neighbours, but should a new animal arrive or if a baby is born, then all the scents become interesting again and provide our animals with stimulation.
Special thanks to rekal for his help with this container! It's incredibly grand!!