Think you need hands to paint a work of art? Think again, as baby birds try their hand at some zoo crafting.
Columbus Zoo in Ohio took a video of its resident baby flamingos and penguins enjoying a crafting session with non-toxic, vet-approved paint, and it’s fair to say they’re very talented.
Posting the video to Facebook, zookeeper Mallory said: “Enrichment is an important part of any day around the zoo for the animals and the keepers alike. One really cool thing we get to do with the animals in our care is enrichment painting.”
Enrichment is an important part of any day around the Zoo for the animals and the keepers alike. One really cool thing we get to do with the animals in our care is enrichment painting. Many different species of animals at the Zoo paint in several different ways. The penguins and flamingos actually play in the paint and walk across the canvas. The paint we use is all non-toxic, water-based paint that has been approved by our vets. Painting doesn’t happen all the time because sometimes the birds just do not want to do it. (And let me tell you from experience–penguins will never do anything they don’t want to do.) If that is the case, we save it for another day and try something else. Usually, the penguins get some of their favorite fish as a reward for creating their masterpieces. The flamingos, on the other hand, just enjoy stomping in the paint and though we’ve tried to offer some novelty food items, they usually just enjoy the company of the keepers. Did you know that you can actually purchase the beautiful paintings the birds create and all the money goes right back into our enrichment fund to benefit the animals? You can purchase a one-of-a-kind creation from the Zoo’s gift shop or during special events at the Zoo! The variety of the paintings is ever changing, as it’s always the animal’s choice if they would like to participate and paint! –Mallory, Shores keeper
Posted by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Tuesday, October 2, 2018
“The penguins get some of their favourite fish as a reward for creating their masterpieces. The flamingos, on the other hand, just enjoy stomping in the paint and though we’ve tried to offer some novelty food items, they usually just enjoy the company of the keepers.
“The variety of the paintings is ever changing, as it’s always the animal’s choice if they would like to participate and paint.”
