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We started out by making enrichments for the chimps. For example, some campers made rain sticks by stuffing empty paper-towel tubes with dried-fruit and Chex Mix.
After that, we went out to the chimp islands visited the night house, where we watched close-up as they enjoyed their treats. As the chimps munched away, the chimp keepers informed us about chimpanzees and how they care for them. The keepers set up a special scavenger hunt where we had to find items that would be useful to chimps in the wild. After the scavenger hunt, we did a puzzle board and searched for treats with small tools just like the chimps do. Last, we got see how the keepers shift the chimps to the different islands where they live here at Lion Country. And finally, as a big treat, each group made an island flag to name each chimp island. The names chosen were: Group 1, Gangalore; Groups 2 & 3, Sohpchy; Groups 4 & 5, Chimps Gone Wild; Groups 6 & 7, Chimps Ahoy; Group 8, Bojangles.
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After making bird enrichments (for example, one group made "fruit roll-ups" by using banana leaves and cranberry sauce. After that, we went to the animal theatre and learned all about Amazon parrots, including
how and why they talk, how long they live, and what type of food they eat in the wild. We also learned where they live in the wild and why they are very important in the rainforest as well as whether it is a good idea to have a parrot as a pet. Last, we got our pictures taken with a blue-fronted Amazon, Twizzler, as she stood next to us on a perch. We also candled eggs and held the baby chicks!
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An education staff member met us at the iguana moat and told us all about these fascinating reptiles. The counselors painted large iguana shapes on the outside of the iguana moat and each group decorated
one. We made an iguana craft and we played an iguana game, too.
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Our group met the wildlife staff member who
prepares the diets for the animals in Safari World and Las Pampas, and we helped her to prepare parrot diets. Since the Commissary also houses some of the education animals, we also were able to help clean and decorate Priscilla the chinchilla's
area. We also did a special Commissary Keeper craft and played a keeper game, too.
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Colleen Wiggins, "The Butterfly Lady," brought in butterflies in all 4 stages: egg, chrysalis, caterpillar, and butterfly. We learned all about these fascinating creatures, and our group even received its own chrysalis to watch the butterfly hatch. We also made a butterfly at craft and played a butterfly game.