Oakland Zoo Exhibits And Auctions Off Paintings Done By Animals For Charity

By R. Siva Kumar - 14 Sep '15 11:28AM

There are some amazing bestial paintings at the Oakland Zoo in California. "Elephants, monkeys, snakes, lemurs and bats, as well as many other animals," are making paintings that will later be auctioned off for charity, according to the Washington Post.

All the zookeepers take painting lessons with the animals. "Some use paintbrushes and some like to fingerpaint," said Margaret Rousser, the zoo's manager, according to USA Today. "We hold up the canvas and let them choose their colors and paint."

None of the animals were coerced into the activity. Still, they were fed treats whenever they dabbed their trunks, paws and claws on the canvas, even as some animals learnt to paint with brushes in their mouths.

So far, animals have painted about 32 works, which are being auctioned off, according to the Oakland Zoo.

"The Animal Art Show is a triple win; it provides fun enrichment for our animals, helps support the conservation of wildlife, and draws public attention to the various conservation challenges that animals face," said Amy Gotliffe, Conservation Director at Oakland Zoo, via Patch. "The Animal Art Show is also a perfect example of how the entire Oakland Zoo staff embraces our conservation efforts, from our Marketing Department to our Animal Care team. We hope the lucky winners of this unique art know that they took action for wildlife every time they look at it."

You can attend the auction that will run until Sept. 20, according to hngn.