Enormous banana to entice elephants

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Elephants at the Virginia Zoo got a huge treat Wednesday. The largest land mammal is routinely fed bananas, watermelon and other treats at the zoo, but on Wednesday, Zookeepers fed them a 15-foot long banana.

Zookeepers and volunteers built the enormous papier mache banana and stuffed it with treats to entice the elephants to play. They also covered the banana with spices to excite the elephants' sense of smell.

The banana was given to the female elephants Wednesday in the Zoo's Africa section.

Zoo officials say enrichment tools like the 15-foot banana are used to create a positive change in an animal's environment that stimulates curiosity and inspires natural behaviors.

The Virginia Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 3500 Granby Street in Norfolk. Daily admission prices are $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors (age 62 and over), and $6.00 for children ages 2-11.

For more information, visit www.virginiazoo.org or call (757) 441-2374.