The macaws enjoy chewing up a paper towel roll to find raisins or nuts inside. Zoo keepers often leave primates with puzzles, such as boxes or capped PVC pipe with strategically placed holes which require them to use their manual dexterity to work the treats out. Another common form of enrichment in zoos is to vary diets. For example, bears at DPZ receive a different diet each day. All of the zoo's carnivores receive bones twice a week.
Raptors get a different diet every two days.
Keepers feed produce donated by a local Dillons store as treats. Lettuce is a favorite of kangaroos, muntjac and gibbons. Primates and macaws enjoy most fruits and vegetables. And, elephants and kangaroos prefer bread donated by St. Louis Bread Company. If you are interested in helping the keepers make popsicles or other forms of enrichment, DPZ's education department is offering an adult class on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to noon.