Baltimore (July 27, 2009) – The public is invited to share in the celebration of Bayley’s first birthday during the Aquarium’s first ever public enrichment building day on August 8th, which happens to also be the Aquarium’s 28th birthday. Enrichment Day activities include:

• Special Animal Encounters
  Each animal encounter themed around enrichment, animal care staff will bring out  animals and a piece of enrichment specific to that animal.
• Special Keeper Talks and Enrichment sessions
  Learn how enrichment benefits the animals living in all areas of the Aquarium: Australia, Rainforest, Fishes habitats and Dolphin pool.
• Enrichment Building
  Visitors can help the animal enrichment committee staff build toys for Bayley and her friends at the Aquarium, and build toys to take home to their pets.
• A Special Raffle!
  A special raffle for recycled tote bags made from banners featuring the Aquarium’s dolphins will be held outside of the dolphin amphitheater. Proceeds will help the Aquarium purchase enrichment items for Bayley and her friends.

Environmental enrichment is an important part of an animal’s life at the National Aquarium. While these items may be seen as just toys, the animal care staff is actually encouraging natural behaviors and giving the animals something new to investigate in their environment. Play helps many animals, including dolphins, develop behavioral skills they need throughout life. 

By providing simple, everyday items, such as jars and basketballs, the animals can practice a wide range of behaviors. Unfortunately, these items are so well used that they need to be replaced often. In addition to participating in the Aquarium enrichment day, the public can now support the Aquarium’s animal enrichment fund through mobile donations:

In lieu of presents, you can TXT to the word ACT to 20222 to give Bayley a gift! Your $5 donation will support the care and feeding of Bayley and her 16,000 aquatic friends at the Aquarium.

»Download Bayley’s Birthday & Enrichment Day Release (PDF)

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