Giving Tree: Help provide the Zoo's animals with great enrichment items stock photo

Enrichment is an integral part of the daily care of the animals in the National Zoo. It helps animals demonstrate their natural behavior, adds variety to their day, allows them exercise, gives them choices in their environment, and enhances their well-being. Enrichment also gives Zoo scientists the chance to study and observe the animals' behavior. Zoo staff has created a wish list of items that you can buy and donate to the Zoo, including Kong toys, rubber chew toys, mirrors, laser pointers, radios, feeder balls, feather dusters, tools, and much, much more. Items can be purchased and/or donations can be made on the Zoo’s online enrichment store or you can drop off or purchase at the Giant Panda Gift Shop. Additionally, special Giving Tree toy chests will be set up throughout the Zoo during our annual ZooLights event. To donate, visit the Zoo’s website at: nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/MakeDonation/GivingTree.cfm. Photo credit: Meghan Murphy / Smithsonian's National Zoo