Nature Center Notes: Play is important, even for animals
Here at the WNC Nature Center, we take animal care seriously. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a good time, and the same goes for our critters! Our animals enjoy enrichment activities that keep them stimulated and give them something fun to do. Providing regular enrichment is a requirement for accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, but it’s also a chance to change up the animals’ daily routine and it’s just plain fun to watch.
All our animals get enrichment, but some are more playful than others. Perhaps the most entertaining are the river otters, Olive and Obi Wan. Visitors are likely to see them swimming and playing any time of day, rain or shine, and they love toys. Enrichment given to the otters includes floating blocks to climb on, hollow containers they can manipulate to reach treats inside, and small tubes stuffed with their favorite snack — mountain trout. These items encourage natural behavior while entertaining the otters at the same time.
Another playful pair is the gray wolf pups, Nova and Wayah. These siblings just celebrated their 1st birthday in April, and still act very puppy-like sometimes. Visitors can catch them chasing each other through their habitat, and splashing around in their pool. They also enjoy tearing things up (typical puppy behavior), like wool from our sheep and paper bags.
When it comes to the importance of play, we want kids to get in on the fun, too. Make sure to check out all the nature play spaces, including the Arachnid Adventure climbing exhibit, the Paint with Water Wall and the brand new children’s play area above the Turtle Pond.
Learn more at www.wncnaturecenter.com.