Oregon Zoo's Enrichment Team Wins "Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment Award"

By Bill LaMarche

Portland, OR - Oregon Zoo staff member Bree Boothe and the zoo's Volunteer Enrichment Team have both been honored with the Lee Houts Excellence in Enrichment Award. The award, presented at the35th annual American Association of Zoo Keepers conference in Salt Lake City, recognizes keeper-initiated contributions to the art and science of environmental enrichment.

"We couldn't be prouder of Bree and the entire Volunteer Enrichment Team for providing the animals with rich and stimulating lives during their stay at the Oregon Zoo," said Tony Vecchio, zoo director. Enrichment activities prevent boredom and keep animals moving and thinking."

The zoo's "Wild Life Live" show -- an educational demonstration featuring a falcon, hawk, owl, vulture, eagle and green-wing macaw -- is an example of an enrichment program. Boothe structured the program so that every animal receives daily enrichment with items that are novel, complex and encourage species-appropriate behaviors. Boothe's management allowed volunteers to gain understanding and comfort regarding the use of enrichment, and has ultimately promoted the safety and well-being of the animals.

The Volunteer Enrichment Team works closely with keepers to create and implement programs throughout the zoo. Using papier-mâché and other materials, volunteers create items such as sea stars, flying bats, tropical fish, a polar bear maternity den, colorful fruit, boats and wrapped gift boxes for the animals. They reuse old buckets, donated car-wash strips and cardboard to stimulate animal play and interest.

The Oregon Zoo has been a pioneer in providing more meaningful lives for zoo animals through encouraging natural behavior. "When animals don't have to hunt for food or engage in normal activities like playing or exploring, they can quickly become bored, even morose," said Dr. David Shepherdson, who coordinates the zoo's enrichment programs.

For more information on the zoo's Volunteer Enrichment Team, visit www.oregonzoo.org/KidsZone/Enrichment/VolunteerEnrichTeam.htm.

The American Association of Zoo Keepers, based in Topeka, Kan., is a nonprofit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus No. 63. Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive $1 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $9.75 (12-64), seniors $8.25 (65+), children $6.75 (3-11), and infants 2 and under are free; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.

Caption: Bree Boothe holds a South American porcupine, part of the Wild Life Live program at the Oregon Zoo. Boothe and the zoo's Volunteer Enrichment Team won national awards for their innovative environmental enrichment programs designed to mentally and physically stimulate zoo animals. Photo by Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.

Caption: Bree Boothe and the Oregon Zoo's Volunteer Enrichment Team won national awards for their innovative environmental enrichment programs designed to mentally and physically stimulate zoo animals. Photo by Michael Durham, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.

Oregon Zoo " 4001 SW Canyon Rd. " Portland, Oregon 97221 " 503-226-1561