EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The El Paso Zoo is inviting the community to witness Hodari, the zoo’s African lion, predict the winner of Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. <\/p>\n
As part of the zoo’s animal enrichment program, Hodari will choose between two helmet-shaped pi\u00f1atas, each representing one of the competing teams. <\/p>\n
According to the zoo, both pi\u00f1atas will be filled with identical treats and placed by zookeepers.<\/p>\n
The prediction, which is part of the zoo’s daily enrichment activities, is set to begin ahead of the big game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m as visitors are encouraged to wear their favorite NFL team jerseys or game-day attire. <\/p>\n
Speaking to KFOX14\/CBS4 on Wednesday, Gary Lunsford, interim director of the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, said the activity will help promote the well-being of animals and support their natural behaviors. <\/p>\n
“Enrichment activities like Super Bowl predictions help keep our animals mentally and physically stimulated,” Lunsford said. “We provide enrichment every day to encourage natural behaviors and give animals opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and interact with their environment.”<\/p>\n
The event also marks Hodari’s first year predicting the big game, following last year’s successful prediction by the zoo’s mountain lions, who correctly picked the Philadelphia Eagles as the winners.<\/p>\n