Exhibit FAQ

Zoo habitats can be empty for several reasons, including:

• Too hot out. Some cold climate species need access to air conditioning when the weather is hot. Animals like snow leopards and Amur tigers may be off exhibit on hotter summer days.
• South Dakota Weather. When there is a threat of severe weather in the area, many of the animals are shifted off exhibit. After heavy rain or snow, if the ground is too muddy, branches are down, or an exhibit has sustained damage, animals will remain indoors.
• Seasonality. Some animals live indoors or behind the scenes during colder months. Many of these species can be seen indoors during the winter, including giraffes, rhinos, and flamingos.
• Animal moves. Animals regularly move to new habitats at the zoo. They also can move to other AZA-accredited zoos, based on breeding recommendations and other factors.
• Not currently needed. Our priority is ensuring our animals have enriching, safe, species-appropriate habitats. If an animal moves to another home, there isn't always another appropriate animal to back-fill an exhibit - and it's not a process that we rush.

When the penguins are molting, they lack their usual protection from the elements. Once molting season is over, the penguins will have the choice to go outside as weather permits.

In the wild, tall grasses and other plants are part of the environment. It is our goal to provide our animals with homes that are as naturalistic as possible.

Animals receive enrichment every day. Enrichment is anything that encourages the animals to demonstrate natural behaviors. Enrichment can be toys, bubbles, ice with treats frozen inside, boxes containing food, whole-carcass feeding, scents, and much more - so it is not unusual to see objects in the animal habitats. If you think an object does not look like regular enrichment, however, please tell a staff member right away.

The decal gives the wolves privacy they need to focus on strong pack behavior.