Donations pay for new toys at the zoo

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Two months after a donation box was stolen at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, an outpouring of support has paid for new toys for zoo animals.

Last December, a thief stole several hundreds dollars of donations from a box that was set up at the zoo.  Since the theft was reported, zoo officials say they've collected twice as much money as the fundraiser usually nets - over $3,000.

"It was very unpleasant for everyone to learn that it was stealing from the animals, which is not the right thing to do," said zoo spokeswoman Jan Mariani, "and people made it right.  Very right."

Saturday, zoo animals received their new presents during "Enrichment Day."  The toys encourage the instincts of zoo animals and help keep them active and engaged in their exhibits.

"We want to make the animals elicit their natural behavior," Mariani said.  "So we want them to forage, we want them to dig, we want them to have different smells and work for their food."

The public was invited to watch the unveiling of the new toys Saturday, but the animals will continue to use them.