Rio’s BioParque mixes Carnival fun with animal enrichment

Carnival-themed enrichment for spectacled bear, jaguar and coatis meets kids’ parties, workshops and foam play at Quinta da Boa Vista. BioParque do Rio kicks off its Carnival agenda with a special environmental enrichment action on February 14, 15 and 17. It taps into the festive mood, but the goal stays practical: animal welfare, environmental education and biodiversity conservation. Visitors can check exact times on the schedule posted at the zoo entrance. For this themed edition, the participating animals—spectacled bear, jaguar, crab-eating fox (cachorro-do-mato) and coatis—receive playful, sensory stimuli designed by the technical team. The idea is to encourage natural behaviors and curiosity, while showing the public how daily care routines keep animals active and engaged. The spectacled bear will interact with a clothesline of colorful paper chains and cardboard masks coated with honey. The jaguar gets a themed line plus decorated kraft paper bags filled with hay and meat. The crab-eating fox receives colorful paper chains and decorated bags with hay and banana. For the coatis, the team prepared a hula hoop with hanging satin ribbons and kraft paper bags with hay and banana, prompting exploration and species-typical behavior.

Family-friendly pre-Carnival activities

Beyond environmental enrichment, BioParque do Rio rolls out a pre-Carnival program for families who want an outdoor celebration surrounded by nature. From February 14 to 17, Quinta da Boa Vista hosts kids’ parties, recreation, creative workshops and music. On February 14 and 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the schedule features a foam cannon and activities led by Tio Alex. Expect a Carnival dance party, classic games, plus mask-making and musical-instrument workshops using recycled materials. On Monday, February 16, also from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., entertainment comes from Recreação Fabulosos, with a creative mask workshop, live music, interactive games and face painting. From February 13 to 18, visitors can join BioFolia at the Environmental Education Center, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities include a memory game featuring Brazilian wildlife, a themed painting workshop, hands-on creation of enrichment items, building a cardboard parade float and customizing kraft paper masks. The program wraps up on Tuesday, February 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the Animasom Carnival dance party for kids and families.

What to see at BioParque do Rio

Located at Quinta da Boa Vista, BioParque do Rio is home to about 650 animals across 124 species, living in 56 enclosures. Visitors can spot well-known residents such as Simba the lion, Tim and Bocão the hippos, and Baloo the spectacled bear—combining leisure with learning about biodiversity protection.

Full schedule

Environmental Enrichment Feb 14, 15 and 17 (Sat, Sun and Tue) | Times available on the schedule at the park entrance Spectacled bear: colorful paper-chain line and honey-coated cardboard masks Jaguar: colorful paper-chain line and decorated kraft paper bags with hay and meat Crab-eating fox: colorful paper-chain line and decorated bags with hay and banana Coatis: hula hoop with hanging satin ribbons and decorated kraft paper bags with hay and banana BioFolia – Environmental Education Feb 13 to 18 | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Environmental Education Center (Fri to Wed) Workshop: building Carnival-themed enrichment items Memory game with species from the film “Rio” and BioParque animals Themed painting workshop Cardboard parade-float build Customize kraft paper masks Foam cannon + Recreation – Tio Alex Feb 14 (Sat) | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carnival dance party Classic, traditional games Carnival mask workshop Instrument workshop (recycled materials) Foam cannon + Recreation – Tio Alex Feb 15 (Sun) | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Carnival dance party Classic, traditional games Carnival mask workshop Instrument workshop (recycled materials) Recreação Fabulosos Feb 16 (Mon) | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Creative mask workshop Interactive recreation with live music Face painting Carnival dance party – Animasom Feb 17 (Tue) | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Service

BioParque do Rio Hours: open daily through February 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.) Address: Parque da Quinta da Boa Vista, s/n – São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil Tickets: https://bioparquedorio.com.br/ Photo: Divulgação