Bears like to play, too! (Photo via Matt Bennett/Houston Zoo)

Today we’re celebrating #GivingZOOday, which, in partnership with #GivingTuesday, is about the impact zoos and aquariums have on their communities by engaging visitors to be stewards of the environment and saving species from extinction.

We have celebrated #GivingZOOday since 2015, asking our supporters to contribute to our animal wellness, conservation and education programs. This year, however, we have decided to focus on one initiative in particular: our rescued Florida black bear!

We are inviting our friends to help us purchase “housewarming gifts,” as all donations on #GivingZOOday will go toward enrichment items for our bear. Best of all, you’ll be able to see your gift in action when the bear habitat opens early next year!

We have highlighted some of the enrichment items that your money will directly go toward purchasing for our bear:

Looky Lou Feeder
This feeder is designed to give animals the opportunity to be self-aware as the base of the enrichment item is a circular mirror. A fill port is located behind the mirror, which encourages the animal to have an up-close experience with their reflection as they sniff out their food.

Hyena Enrichment Toy
Though targeted toward hyenas, this fun “toy” can be used by any large carnivore. The item is a large tube, which has a ball inside of it. By reaching in, an animal is able to rotate the ball, which causes food contained inside of it to be dispensed in small amounts.

Tipsy Tom Toy
This cone-shaped toy is a durable item that moves unpredictably with touch. An animal can push it, pull it, jump on it or bite it, and it will roll right back to an upright position.

Click here to contribute to this year’s #GivingZOOday campaign and help give our bear the best quality of life possible.