Give a gift to your favorite animal this holiday season at Zoo Idaho
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POCATELLO — As eastern Idaho gets into the gift-giving spirit, Zoo Idaho officials are reminding residents not to forget about the animals in need.
The Pocatello zoo is launching a fundraiser called Stockings for Wildlife. The goal of the philanthropic effort is to better the lives of a favorite zoo animal by giving them gifts. An added bonus is that families get to watch the animals enjoy their gifts during a private event. Through Dec. 12, families can purchase enrichment stockings that include a variety of food, toys and other gifts for an animal of their choosing.
“We are happy to provide this unique fundraising event for the community,” Zoo Education Curator Rachael Shearouse said in a news release. “What better way to celebrate the holidays than with treats and animals in the beautiful outdoors.”
Families can purchase time with one of the following animals:
- Badger
- Bald Eagle
- Big Horn Sheep
- Bison
- Black Bears
- Bobcats
- Cougars
- Coyote
- Elk
- Great Horned Owl
- Grizzly Bears
- Mule Deer
- Porcupine
- Pronghorn
- Raccoon
- Red Fox
- Red Tailed Hawk
- Sandhill Crane
- Swainson’s Hawk
- Turkey Vulture
The cost is $75, and can be purchased through the Zoo Idaho website.
“The purpose (of this program) is to stimulate behaviors you see in the wild,” Shearouse told EastIdahoNews.com.
The stockings will include items that will provide entertainment to the animals all year-round. Shearouse says it’s important because, during the cold months, the animals lose a lot of their regular entertainment.
“Most of the time (the animals) are used to the stimulus of having people around,” Shearouse added. “This program helps to stimulate their behaviors and their minds and keep them a little happier.”
Fundraising events such as this are important to the zoo because 2020 has been difficult for them. They’ve had to cancel or limit many of their normal fundraising efforts due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The purchase of a stocking includes an invitation for the family to come to the zoo on Dec. 12 between 1 p.m. to – 3 p.m. (specific scheduled times will be sent out as the date becomes closer) for their private viewing with the animals. A maximum of 10 people are allowed at the private event, and refreshments will be provided. Masks or face covering are required during the events.
The proceeds for each purchase will also help fund one classroom outreach trip for schools that cannot afford to go to the zoo.
Although this is a new fundraiser, Zoo Idaho hopes to make it an annual event.