Another fun family activity is Holiday Gifts for the Animals!  Every weekend in December, including December 24 and 25, but excluding December 29 and 30, watch the animals joyfully open holiday gifts specially prepared for them by zookeepers and volunteers.  The animals enjoy opening up their enriching gifts and you’ll be entertained watching them.  See schedule below.

December 1
10:30 a.m. Tree kangaroo – holiday presents
1:00 p.m. Asian elephant – Australian pine trees
2:00 p.m. Asian small clawed otters – pine cones with treats

December 2
1:30 p.m. Pygmy hippo – holiday themed ice treats
3:00 p.m. African elephant – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper

December 8
10:30 a.m. Jaguar – holiday themed ice treat
1:00 p.m. Asian elephant – anniversary cake celebrating Elephant Awareness Week
2:00 p.m. Warty pig – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper
3:00 p.m. African elephant – giant holiday trees decorated with their favorite treats

December 16
12:00 p.m. Giant river otter – holiday themed ice treats
1:00 p.m. Asian elephant – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper

December 22
11:30 p.m. Lion – holiday-themed ice treat
1:30 p.m. New Guinea singing dog – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper
3:00 p.m. African elephant - treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper

December 23
11:00 a.m. Black rhino – Australian pine tree
1:00 p.m. Asian elephant – edible ornaments (painted coconuts)

December 24       
11:30 a.m. Orangutan – holiday presents
2:00 p.m. Toucan exhibit – papier machι ornaments with treats inside
3:00 p.m. African elephant – giant Australian pine tree with elephant sized ornaments (coconuts)

December 25
1:00 p.m. Asian elephant – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper
1:45 p.m. Chimpanzee – holiday presents
2:00 p.m. Gorilla – holiday presents
3:00 p.m. African elephant – treat boxes wrapped in holiday paper