Department of Conservation and Science
Enrichment

The Knoxville Zoo’s enrichment program strives to promote the physical and psychological wellbeing of the animals in the zoo’s collection. The use of permanent exhibit items, training sessions and introduction of novel items, scents, and foods are used to help stimulate natural behaviors and reduce the occurrence of stereotypical behaviors. The goal of enrichment is to provide an opportunity for an animal to satisfy their behavioral needs, optimize their levels of stimulation, and create an unpredictable environment, which in turn contributes to improving the success of captive breeding programs, overall health of the animals, and improves the adaptability of an animal to a new situation.

How You Can Help With Enrichment

Support the Zoo, become a Zoo Member, Volunteer, Donate money to the enrichment program.
Attend our Annual Enrichment Art Sale (call 637-5331 ext. 389 for schedule).
Donate supplies to the Zoo’s enrichment program. Call at 637-5331 ex. 389 if you have any questions.

We can use:

Produce

Bananas
Coconuts
Dried fruits (no added sugars)
Grapes
Melons
Pineapples
Kiwi
Raisins
Squash
Tomatoes
watermelon (for bears)
pumpkins

Frozen Foods

berries (any kind, no added sugar)
fruit juice (any kind, no added sugar)
fruit juice popsicles (any flavor, no added sugar)
vegetables (any kind, no added sugar or salt)

Canned Goods

applesauce (low sugar)
apple butter (low sugar)
jams
jellies
marmalades (all natural, no sugar)
natural peanut butter
canned fruits (no sugar)
canned salmon
canned sardines
canned tuna
canned vegetables (no salt)

Dry Goods

cereals (low sugar)
cracked corn
dried beans
jell-o mix
pasta
popcorn
powdered sports drink
raw sunflower seeds (unsalted)
rice cakes (low sugar, low salt)
unshelled nuts (any kind, unsalted)
vanilla wafers

Dairy and Refrigerated Items

Fruit and vegetable juice (all natural, no added sugars)
yogurt (low sugar and low fat)

Miscellaneous Items

fragrant herbs and spices
mustard
ketchup
honey
molasses
small brown paper bags
unwaxed Dixie cups
large appliance boxes (staples and tape removed)
old perfumes and colognes
storage containers
storage shelves
small animal exercise balls
Tot toys

**You can drop donations off at the ranger station, to the Right of the gate. If you want to designate the item to a particular department, be sure to mark it clearly and let the rangers know.

Knoxville Zoological Gardens is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization, so your donations are tax-deductable. Please contact Jennifer Manrod at 637-5331 ext. 389 Before delivery so that we may issue you a receipt.

Call Jennifer Manrod at ext. 389 for more information.

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