Rosamond Gifford Zoo to Celebrate Holidays with the Animals

Animals at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will unwrap their holiday gifts on Sunday, December 21 at the Holidays with the Animals enrichment event. Visitors are invited to watch an array of animal species – elephants, primates, and more – play with and/or eat the presents they receive throughout the day. The event is free with zoo admission.

Holidays with the Animals is one of many enrichment events the zoo holds throughout the year as part of its educational mission, demonstrating how daily enrichment keeps animals in human care active, healthy, and engaged in their natural behaviors.

“The animals we care for receive specialized enrichment daily to stimulate their natural instincts, keeping their lives dynamic and engaging,” says Dan Meates, Interim Zoo Director. “We love making these enrichment moments a public event during holidays and special occasions because the experience is as enjoyable and educational for our guests as it is for our animals.”

Each year, the zoo team collects cardboard boxes and other recyclable containers, which are then gift wrapped in recyclable paper using non-toxic glue to resemble holiday presents. The animal care teams select presents for their animals, cut holes in them, and fill them with tasty treats: bamboo and craisins for red pandas; fruit, veggies, and mealworms for primates; and meat for carnivores such as tigers.

In addition, guests will have the opportunity to contribute to animal enrichment by choosing an item on the zoo’s Enrichment Tree and donating toward the selected enrichment item. Guests can find the Enrichment Tree in the entrance of the Curious Cub Gift Shop near the main lobby of the zoo. The Enrichment Tree is decorated with ornaments picturing various animals, their favorite enrichment gifts, and a suggested amount to donate.

Holidays with the Animals runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, December 21.

Schedule (subject to change):

10:30 a.m.       Siamangs – Social Animals wing

10:45 a.m.       Meerkats - Social Animals wing

11 a.m.        Contact Barn - outdoor zoo

11:15 a.m.       Outdoor birds – outdoor zoo

11:30 a.m.       Markhor – Wildlife Trail

11:45 a.m.     Tigers - Wildlife Trail 

12 p.m.          Takin – Wildlife Trail

12:15 p.m.       Elephants (in the barn)*

12:45 p.m.       Red panda – Wildlife Trail

1 p.m.              Andean bear – Wildlife Trail

1:30 p.m.         Penguins – Penguin Coast

1:45 p.m.         North American river otters – Animal Adaptations     

2:00 p.m.         Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths – Animal Adaptations

2:15 p.m.         Southern tamandua – Animal Adaptations

2:30 p.m.         Gila monsters & beaded lizards - Cave

3:00 p.m.         Komodo dragon – Social Animals wing

If You Go:

What: Holidays with the Animals enrichment day at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

When: Sunday, December 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse, NY, 13204

Cost:  Free with zoo admission.