Animal Enrichment Day

On Animal Enrichment Day, guests see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. An enrichment is a special treat, new toy or even an unfamiliar scent given to the animals to break up their routines and help keep them active and intellectually stimulated. Watch enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. Included with admission. Activities kick off at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and adjacent Wildlife Habitats.

Animal Enrichment Day Schedule:
11 – 11:30 a.m. | Behind-the-Scenes Bear Training Tour (optional, additional cost) – Come watch a bear training with one of the habitat keepers. Training involves teaching the bears behaviors to help with their care and is another form of enrichment for them. This tour costs $20 per person, or $18 for Bridge Club members. There is a minimum of two people per group and a maximum of 12 people. To sign up in advance, email habitats@grandfather.com, or stop by the gift shop in the Wilson Center the day-of for last-minute availability.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Enrichment Games and Activities Stations – Fill out an Enrichment Passport with stamps at a variety of stations. Station topics include pet and backyard enrichment crafting, sensory games, “What is Enrichment,” animal diets and treats and more. Turn in a completed passport at the Passport Table to be entered into the drawing for a free Behind-the-Scenes Tour at 2 p.m. Participants must be present to win. (station locations: Outdoor Learning Space, Wilson Center breezeway/front doors, in front of Yonni’s Clubhouse; rain location: Classroom in the Clouds)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Animal Adoption and Wishlist Table – Learn how to directly support the mountain’s resident animals. (location: Outdoor Learning Space, rain location: Classroom in the Clouds)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Green Team Table – Come learn about what sustainability practices Grandfather Mountain uses not only when it comes to making enrichments, but across the entire mountain. (location: Outdoor Learning Space, rain location: Classroom in the Clouds)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Conservation Through Colors Tables – Purchase animal paintings, with proceeds going to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy. With each purchase, guests can spin a wheel to win a prize. (location: in front of Wilson Center and Yonni’s Clubhouse, rain location: inside Wilson Center and under back porch of Yonni’s Clubhouse)
1 – 1:30 p.m. | Animal Encounter – Come meet a few of the mountain’s smaller resident ambassador animals in a 30-minute presentation. (location: Classroom in the Clouds)
1 – 2 p.m. | Creepy Critter Corner – Meet some of the mountain’s “creepier” ambassador animals (tarantula, tree frogs, millipedes and more). (location: outside the Classroom in the Clouds)
1:30 – 2 p.m. | Parade Enrichment Making Table – Help create some of the enrichments to be given out during the enrichment parade, like Bear Pizza, Elk Salads and Cougar Leaf Candies. (location: Wilson Center breezeway/Outdoor Learning Space)
2 p.m. | Passport Behind-the-Scenes Drawing – Winners get the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes to visit either bears, otters, elk or cougars (chosen at random). Winners are allowed to take family members with them. Participants must be present to win. (location: Outdoor Learning Space, rain location: Classroom in the Clouds)
2:45 p.m. | Animal Enrichment Parade – Follow habitat staff to the elk, then cougar, then otter and then bear overlooks to watch the special enrichments be given. (location: begins at the elk overlook and continues to the other habitats)

Can’t come to the event but still want to provide a special treat for Grandfather animals? Those interested in gifting them some of their favorite items can do so by checking out the mountain’s animal enrichment wish list featuring appropriate toys and supplies. Donors can purchase an item online and have it delivered straight to Grandfather Mountain for immediate enjoyment.

Animal lovers can also contribute through the mountain’s Adopt-an-Animal Program. Honorary adopters receive a photo of their animal, certificate of adoption, informational sheet about the animal’s life and more!