Here in the zoo we try and combine our activities, teaching people about our animals but also keeping our animals active. That is why, when Zoo Academy participants were learning about our Hamadryas baboons, the keepers and the education staff put their heads together. The keepers wanted to ensure that we could give the food to the baboons in a safe way and the education staff wanted to highlight the foods the baboons eat and introduce the zoo troopers to the concept of animal enrichment.

And what did we come up with? Baboon balloons! You can even try this at home and place them in your garden for the native wildlife that may be visiting! The zoo troopers blew up a balloon, dipped edible paper into a mixture of flour and water (we could not use PVA glue which is usually used for papier mâché because the baboons might eat it). We covered the balloon with 3 layers of the dripping paper. Once the entire balloon was covered we put it on a cup to dry. Once dry we filled the baboon balloons with hay, nuts and dried fruit: a tasty treat for our baboons!

Our zoo troopers headed down to the baboon island to meet our primate keeper, Christina. Once the moat was lowered, Christina hid the balloons around the island – up high in the trees and in the rock. With the moat safely up (and double checked as Hamadryas baboons are very dangerous animals), Christina opened the gate for the baboons.

And what a reaction – the dominant male of the clan immediately ran over to claim the biggest balloon. Intrigue and delight followed as the balloons were ripped open, the contents devoured and the hunt for further balloons started. Here at Flamingo Land Zoo we have three baboon babies, and these babies didn’t miss out on the fun. Watching the adults, they soon grasped the technique needed to get the tasty treats out of the balloons. Within no time, the babies were satisfying themselves with dried fruit. This is really important for the babies as they learn skills such as foraging and balance.

To learn more about our baboons visit our Keeper Talk at 12:30pm.