COME PLAY THE ANIMAL WAY - Animal Enrichment Day to take place on Thursday, July 19

HOLDERNESS, N.H. (July 11, 2007) – What are the animals up to this summer? Come find out at an event that’s especially for them – Animal Enrichment Day!

Join staff and volunteers at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center on Thursday, July 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for a fun-filled day focusing on animal enrichment. Live animal presentations and demonstrations will be held throughout the day. There will be opportunities for visitors to role play animal behaviors and construct items for animal enrichment.

Enrichment provides stimulating activities for captive wildlife to keep them engaged in their surroundings and allow them to lead the best lives possible in captivity. Additional benefits include reduced stress, decreased stereotypic behaviors, and increased species-appropriate behaviors.

Animal Enrichment Day is included with the cost of General Admission (free/member, $13/adults, $9/youth, free/2 and under), and no reservations are needed. Thanks to Tootsie Roll Industries for sponsoring this event.

Schedule of Events

Enrichment Presentations:

11:00 River Otter -- at the River Otter Exhibit

11:30 Coyote -- at the Amphitheatre

12:00 Fox and Fisher -- at the Ecotone Mammal Exhibit

12:30 Peregrine Falcon -- at the Amphitheatre

1:00 Bobcat -- at the Bobcat Exhibit

1:30 Moose-ology 101 -- in the Auditorium

2:00 Black Bear -- at the Black Bear Exhibit

3:00 Mountain Lion -- at the Mountain Lion Exhibit

Ongoing Enrichment Activities:

10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Visit the Introductory Table in the Portico

Find out what Animal Enrichment is and see the tools and toys the Science Center staff use.

Human Dig Box in the Trailhead Gallery

Use your senses to forage for candy!

Participate in Enrichment Activities at the Gordon Children’s Center Pavilion

Make treat rings and decorate paper bags and paper towel tubes for the animals to play with!

About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

The mission of the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (SLNSC) is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, and lake cruises, the Science Center has educated and enlightened visitors for forty years about the importance of our natural world. The Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is located on Route 113 in downtown Holderness, exit 24 off I-93, and is open daily from May 1 through November 1. In September 2006, SLNSC gained national accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This accreditation distinguishes SLNSC as among the very finest educational facilities of its kind throughout the nation and the only AZA-accredited institution in all of northern New England. For further information about the Center, call 603-968-7194 or visit www.nhnature.org.

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The Lakes Region Association is a non-profit tourism marketing organization that promotes the entire region. The association publishes the Where to! Lakes Region of New Hampshire, a comprehensive guide to the area, and Lakes Region Map and Guide. For a free vacation package call 1-800-60-LAKES.