Today we highlight our smallest canid species at the zoo. Fennec foxes are a nocturnal species and can be found in our adaptions area at the zoo. Check out the ears on these guys! #syracusezoo #ClosedButStillCaring #BringingTheZooToYou

Our red river hogs, like other pig species, are very intelligent. As you can see, Zambizi and Nile love to follow their keepers as they walk by in hopes for a training session or an extra treat!

To kick off our hoof-stock week, get up close and personal with our infamous Bactrian camels! Tis the season for camel brushing. Since Bactrian camels shed out their winter coat during the spring, brushing is an essential part of their daily care. With proper training, we are able to accomplish many things with our male camels to make their husbandry a joint effort that is stress free.

The elephants are back at it with their exercise regimen. Today is A to B training with our adult bull Doc. Tune in to see some more of the creative ways we give the elephants workout options!

Just like many of you, our herd of Asian elephants are trying to stay in shape during the quarantine... One way we help them do this is through stretch training, or as we have lovingly named it “Elephant Yoga” Watch as our keepers use special training to help our elephants maintain flexibility and good mobility! This is an important task for elephants of all ages from Siri, our 52-year-old, all the way down to Batu, our almost 5-year-old! So join in and get your yoga on, too!

Ever wonder how we exercise some of our flighted raptors? Well, today we are going to show you just how we accomplish this... we are taking our Harris hawks for a hawk walk! Our outdoor birds keeper, Lucas will explain what this is a bit before we start. So stay tuned!

Today we took our southern tamanduas, Dexter and Derby, out for a spin and it was awesome. Their keeper Sarah will tell you a little but about them before we jump into the fun.

Since the zoo is closed Hamilton, one of our San Clemente Island goats, took a spin around the Wildlife Trail at the zoo. We’ve talked about enrichment a lot lately. This is a great way to enrich multiple animals at once. By adding something different and exciting to their environment. Enjoy!

With the zoo being closed we are able to give the animals some extraordinary enrichment opportunities. Check out “Muppet” our north american porcupine and hear more about some of our great enrichment from Tammy, one of our animal managers here at the zoo!

It's snack time in the Diversity of Birds aviary! Our Inca Terns, Crested Coua, White-faced Whistling Ducks and Shama Thrush all got some tasty treats this afternoon from our Bird Collection Manager, April. While the zoo is closed, some of our more shy residents have had the opportunity to participate in feedings like these. Enjoy!

The beginning of the month is our time to get monthly weights on many of our animals. This is one way we monitor the animals to make sure they are healthy and eating well. It requires a lot of training to have the animals assist us in their own husbandry needs and healthcare! Watch as Deb, one of our penguin keepers, trains with our colony of Humboldt penguins to check their weights as they each hop on the scale!

Today take some tips from Naga, our komodo dragon, with one of our keepers, Leisje, on how to keep quarantine interesting... 1. Relax 2. Explore your surroundings 3. Exercise 4. Eat 5. Shower off the day 6. Repeat

Today we would like you all to get to know one of our new residents here at the the zoo: “Thimbu,” our Amur tiger. Alongside carnivore keeper Hannah he will show you just what he can do! Training is an essential part of caring for animals to the highest standard and allows them to participate in their husbandry and healthcare in a stress-free way. Its also a great relationship building tool for animals and keepers alike!

Enjoy some Takin training with our hoof stock keeper Alana and male Sichuan takin Bo. All training at the zoo is essential to keeping the animals healthy and and mentally stimulated. It also allows the animals to participate in their own husbandry and healthcare at the zoo with little stress. Alana uses the whistle followed by a treat to let Bo know he did what she asked as a way of "capturing" the behavior. Keepers also like to add things in just for fun ... like painting to give the animals an artistic outlet!