CREATIVE ANIMALS BY KALEIGH SEELY

Two summers ago, I interned at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where I worked with many different species one might find in Ohio. It was here that I met, Mimic. Mimic is an American Crow, and he is an animal ambassador for the rehab center. He imprinted on humans, so he was no longer able to be in the wild. He has such a strong personality and is extremely intelligent. He can recognize faces of people and can make many different vocalizations based on the situation. For example, if people around him started laughing, he would too. 

In order to stimulate the animals so they do not get bored, we provide enrichment. When it came to Mimic’s enrichment, I loved to get creative with it. I would freeze some mealworms in ice cubes for him to peck at, I would hide shells or food in easter eggs (sometimes those easter eggs would then be put in a paper towel roll), and much more. If I didn’t get creative, Mimic would get bored and start pecking at me instead. Crows are very curious birds and are able to use tools in order to get their food. Mimic would sometimes pick the egg up and drop it so that it popped open. Other times, he used a stick or a rock. He would try multiple ways to reach one goal. It was very interesting to watch him solve the problem. 

There are many animals that are smart, creative, and innovative like the American Crow. It is from a lot of these animals that which humans get their best ideas and innovations #biomimicry.