The El Paso Zoo offers public demonstrations of it’s training programs designed to enrich the lives of animals every day at 10:45am and 2:45pm at the sea lion exhibit and at noon at the elephant exhibit.

The program involves animals of all sizes from the short-tailed opossum weighing just a few ounces to 8,000 pound Asian elephants. Enrichment is a term zoos use to describe any activity or exhibit feature that helps to enhance the physiological and psychological well being of the animals. For example, the Zoo’s California sea lions go through enrichment training three times a day that includes having the animals go through a series of behaviors like jumping out of the water and allowing the keeper to inspect the inside of

Responsible animal management in AZA (American Zoos and Aquarium Association) accredited zoos includes quality-training enrichment programs. Every day our Asian elephants receive training designed to provide both physical and mental stimulation. This training facilitates routine management and care and may lower stress during medical assessment and treatment.

Training includes behaviors that also help the keepers maintain a close eye on the elephants’ well being including raising the feet for cleaning and getting a shampoo bath.

For more information about the Zoo visit http://www.elpasozoo.org/ or call 915-521-1850

The Zoo sponsors California sea lion demonstrations daily at 10:45am and 2:45pm.