Animal Enrichment

Besides the day-to-day cleaning and feeding of the animals, the animal keepers are also responsible for enrichment and training. Environmental enrichment is the way we promote species-appropriate behavior while giving the animals choice over their environment. There are a variety of different types of enrichment that keepers use to achieve this from habitat enrichment to cognitive enrichment to toys. Check out the pictures and videos below to see some examples of enrichment and training in action. If you are interested in being a part of our Enrichment program, you can help the animals by purchasing enrichment items for them!

Party for the Planet 2021 Enrichment

Below you will find a wishlist of items that we could use to better care for the animals here at the zoo.  You can purchase these items from Amazon and they will be shipped directly to the zoo.  Keep track of your donations because they are completely tax deductible!

We also accept tax-deductible donations specific to enrichment which can be made using the DONATE button below, or by mailing:
The Utica Zoo, One Utica Zoo Way, Utica, NY 13501

The Utica Zoo will close at 3pm on 12/31 and will reopen with normal hours on 1/1!