by Paul Swen
It’s the most wonderful time of year—well, almost. Any reprieve from the blazing heat of the Texas summer is a sweet welcome gift. As cool breezes roll in, they seem to carry with them the spirit of the coming season. Our minds start racing to a bounty of traditions and delightful treats. Everyone has their favorites. Some folks may be eager for gingerbread houses, while others can’t wait for a savory feast, and others may already be dreaming of new toys of all shapes and sizes.
Tucked in the forest, in the Northern hills of Tyler, excitement is building. This is a magical place, rich in tradition, with a family that is just about as diverse as you can imagine. Like all families, it can be challenging to find anything that everyone agrees on. Let’s be real, it’s impossible. What may be awesome to one could be a complete yawn to another or even seriously unappreciated. But that’s a big part of the fun. Variety is the spice of life. Here, we like to celebrate differences and encourage individuality. When your family consists of over three thousand individuals, embracing differences is best. And that’s how one of our greatest traditions took root—The Enrichment Tree.
A long, long time ago, our family set out to make the holidays special for everyone. We rejoice in the idea that we all have unique likes and dislikes. We love to give, and the best gifts are those that are right for the particular recipient. Of course, that means that you really have to know the tastes of the individual. You don’t want to give a gift that goes unused or sits on the shelf. You want your gifts to bring joy and excitement. But how do you do that for a family of thousands?
The Caldwell Zoo animal family is full of wildly different characters. Some are sporty, some are shy, some are early birds (literally), and some enjoy sleeping in. Tyler and Timber, the black bears, come to mind. Some members of the family like nothing more than a big ol’, juicy, meaty dinner, while others prefer a puzzle that challenges the intellect. The trick is to give them what they want. Thankfully, our Keepers are like crafty elves who know the secret and not-so-secret desires of all the kids, kits, cubs, young bucks, and old-timers who romp, stomp, and bound around our wonderland.
“This really is a great tradition for all of us,” explains Tori Scarber, Curator of Animal Behavior and Welfare. “We have a really big family, and they have a lot of adoring fans. The Enrichment Tree allows all animal lovers everywhere to give something special to their favorite furry, feathered, and finned friends. The Enrichment Tree is like Secret Santa but on a global scale.”
Here’s how it works. First, a lovely tree is set up at the entrance of the Zoo as a beacon of welcome. Next, its branches are decorated with the vigor of the holidays. Then, Zoo staff create cards with perfect gift ideas for our animal family and hang those on the tree. Anyone can choose a gift idea that suits their fancy and purchase those for the animals. Guests can use the card to order or go directly to the Wish List on Amazon. There’s something for everyone on The Enrichment Tree. The animals spread so much joy and wonder to all our guests, and this is an opportunity for the community to give directly to any animal friend and spread the cheer throughout the year. There are treats and toys for every girl and boy, big and small, to suit all shapes and sizes. The gift ideas are hand-picked by the folks who work with the animals daily. Perhaps you’d like to purchase a special fishy treat for Duncan, the penguin. You can do that without getting your hands stinky. Maybe you’d like to give the big boys Mac and Emanti an elephant-sized toy. Or you may want to treat the beautiful macaws to something that helps groom their beaks to picture-ready perfection. We believe in “smart” gifts that engage sharp minds, so every gift idea is selected to keep the animals fit, healthy, engaged, and active.
“Every year, we are just amazed by the generosity of the community,” Tori continues. “Our team puts a lot of thought into gift ideas for the animals, and once The Enrichment Tree goes up, the spirit of giving lights up the season. Thanks to the folks right here in Tyler and our friends around the country, the animals enjoy the treats and engagement items all year long.”
It is a magical time of year, full of joy and wonder. The Enrichment Tree may be the perfect symbol of the season of coming together to connect and celebrate our individuality. So, if you’re looking for a new holiday tradition, remember, you’re all welcome at Caldwell Zoo.
Come on by and pick out your favorite card on the tree or check out the Wish List on Amazon. Or for the modern day Santas, you can simply scan the QR code.
caldwellzoo.org/enrichment-tree-list
