03/28/2018
What adds enrichment to your life? Perhaps it’s a delicious meal, a thrilling movie, or maybe even… a trip to the Aquarium!
On Wednesday, March 28, spring break visitors will find out that enrichment is not just for humans. Enrichment Day will showcase that, with over 15,000 animals, Aquarium staff have plenty of experience with keeping an ocean of critters entertained.
To accommodate the crowd of spring break coastal visitors, the Aquarium will also stay open an extra hour, until 6:00 PM, from March 24 to April 1.
Attending to an animal’s mental well-being is just as important as suitable housing, top-notch veterinary care, and the best food available. Staff at the Aquarium meets this need by devising specialized items and experiences, called enrichment, that encourage natural behaviors and mimic challenges the animals face in the wild without the risk of going hungry or predation.
“We encourage all of our animals to interact with and explore their exhibits through different types of enrichment,” said Mammalogist II Stephany Simmons. “Enrichment at the Aquarium can take many forms, including sensory activities, variables in the animals’ environment, special food or training, social groupings, and cognitive stimulation.”
Enrichment Day offers guests an opportunity to see how enrichment keeps our critters busy through presentations, activity booths, and behind the scenes opportunities.
Sea otter, pinniped, bird, and shark enrichment presentations are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Guests can try to paint like a sea lion, learn what counts as fun for an octopus, and even peek behind the scenes at the sea otters’ toys. Those impressed by our artistic pinnipeds can enter raffles to win a one-of-a-kind pinniped painting. This year we are also hosting the Lincoln County Animal Shelter to teach guests how to enrich their own pets at home!
Enrichment Day activities are included with Aquarium admission. Visit aquarium.org for a detailed schedule of Enrichment Day events.
LocationOregon Coast Aquarium
Contact Sally Compton
sally.compton@aquarium.org
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