National Zoo 'enriches' its animals with musical instruments


In an effort to keep its animals happy, the National Zoo has rolled out a "zoo enrichment" program in which animals can use art supplies and musical instruments. The animals don't really know what they're doing, but the results are adorable.
The enrichment activities are "designed to allow animals to demonstrate their species-typical behavior, to allow them exercise control or choice over their environment, and to enhance their well-being," the zoo explained in a statement. "While they wouldn't encounter a keyboard in the wild, the activity engages their sight, touch and hearing senses."
Some of the activities include otters playing the piano, an orangutan playing the xylophone, bears playing the harmonica, and parrots painting. Check out a couple of the animal enrichment videos below, and visit the National Zoo's YouTube channel for more. --Meghan DeMaria
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
A tour of southern Greenland
The Week Recommends New international airport has given this 'bucolic' island a welcome boost
-
Sudoku hard: August 10, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively