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For Central Florida Zoo, Sandford

This is the dispenser section of the EED. It consists of two cereal dispenser driven by windshield wiper motors. It will be controlled by a battery powered control system activated by switched (push buttons) that the animals can control. There will be three switches, one for each dispenser, and the third will activate both dispensers simultaneously. This allows animals to share the fun or just get a treat for themselves. Lights will indicate when the buttons are active. The zoo keepers can use programmable timers to set the inactive durations and amount of treats to be dispensed.

Don tested different size PVC pipes to see which one squirrels could get into.  He needed to find out what worked best for the enrichment he is building for the small primates and the African Crested porcupine at Central Florida Zoo.  Don put peanuts in some peanut butter a few inches into each pipe.  Results:  squirrels can get into the 3 inch PVC pipes.

Don put some armored cable on the enrichment device to protect it from curious squirrels and delivered it to CF Zoo a few weeks ago.

We delivered a weather resistant power cable to the Brevard Zoo so the Black Bear enrichment device can continue to be left outside in most weather conditions. Don worked on the weatherproofing for the connections on the cord earlier in the week.

Calusa was so happy!!

They all had so much fun! Humans and dolphins!

We were very happy to see Calusa, Cayo, and Santini enjoying DESY. It appeared they still recalled this enrichment from over ten years ago! Calusa and Cayo quickly mastered which paddle to press to turn on the underwater bubbler. They remembered their DESY enrichment well, blowing bubbles and pressing the second paddle to release the plain gelatin and ice. They took delight in the “Delphi gator” water sprinkler and bubbles, while Summer and Ranger showed curiosity.

Fintastic Fun with DESY at Dolphin Research Center.

First test on dock!   We were very happy to be able to let the dolphins explore their enrichment device.  They were curious and pushed the paddles.  

Scroll through this slide show

Some photos and video of Don explaining the DESY to Linda and Nicki before it was used on the docks