Toys and Treats for Animals

On various occasions we schedule the "Toys and Treats for Animals" programme so visitors can see one of the important pillars of animal care and the animals in action. 

Animals in zoos need a suitable habitat and companions, appropriate food and veterinary care, hygiene and special attention to their behaviour.

The key ingredients for maintaining species-typical behaviour outside of the natural environment are a varied habitat and training. When we add the keeper’s care and attentive eye for daily needs, we have an excellent recipe for the welfare of the animals in our care.

An enriched habitat offers physical and mental challenges, giving animals the chance to solve the kinds of problems they also encounter in the wild: looking for food, finding shelter, running, climbing, swimming, scratching, rolling and so on. Animals show natural behaviours and develop well socially, mentally and physically.

Habitat enrichment at ZOO Ljubljana is part of daily care and crucial for the animals’ welfare.

Via our online shop: donate a toy

A donation of €1–5 will contribute to the purchase of natural materials for making toys, spices and other scents, and toys for smaller species.

A donation of €10–50 will contribute to the purchase of larger toys and the construction of larger play equipment for the animals.
 

Would you like to donate a different amount or make a larger donation?

Donations can also be made by bank transfer. The transfer details for ZOO Ljubljana are:

ŽIVALSKI VRT LJUBLJANA
VEČNA POT 70,
1000 LJUBLJANA

IBAN: SI56 0126 1603 0380 391

Reference: 00-1110

PAYMENT PURPOSE: ZOO animal toys

SWIFT: BSLJSI2X
PURPOSE CODE: CHAR
 

Please include the reference so we know your donation is earmarked for the purchase of toys and play equipment for ZOO Ljubljana’s animals.
 

You are probably wondering how your donation brightens the animals’ day? Please follow our Facebook and YouTube profiles, where we regularly post playful videos of the animals and show how you brightened their day.

The Facebook playlist of animal enrichment is available at this link.

1. Physical enrichment

In the natural environment, animals encounter different terrain, water sources and weather conditions. They meet varied vegetation. This variety allows them to explore and move, as well as the option of hiding. As needed, they scratch against rough bark on parts of the body they can’t otherwise reach, seek shade in the summer heat, or roll in a sand or mud bath. 

2. Feeding enrichment

Finding food is a varied activity for animals in the wild. Many search or stalk their prey for hours, using strength, cunning, speed or strategy to reach their food. All of this requires physical activity and sharp senses, so it is important that the animals in the zoo also seek food in a similar way.

3. Sensory enrichment

Sensory enrichment covers smell, taste, hearing, touch and so on. Animals have very well-developed senses. To find prey, water, shelter, a partner or to avoid predators, they use very different senses, even more varied and sharper than ours!  

4. Solving challenges and problems

Many animals are highly intelligent, so keepers encourage them to think. They do this by hiding food and treats in special feeders where the animals have to use various mental skills to get to the hidden treats.

5. Social enrichment

This is important so the animal can express behaviours such as grooming, play, courtship and territoriality. It can come from animals of the same species or different species, and also includes the keeper and the relationship between them. An animal living alone is not necessarily lonely.

6. Training

Through training we greatly enhance the welfare of the animals, as they are more willing to cooperate, and we learn to listen to the animals and understand what they are telling us and what they need. Through training we build a positive and respectful relationship between the animal and its keeper. The animals are more mentally and physically active, willingly take part in veterinary care, allow themselves to be examined, have blood drawn, be vaccinated and be weighed.