Atenas, a jaguar that lives in the São Carlos Ecological Park in São Paulo, celebrated her first birthday on Friday, marking a special occasion with decorations, gifts, and a fruit cake designed for her enjoyment. The celebration is part of an effort by the park staff to enhance Atenas's natural behaviors and encourage interaction with her habitat through olfactory stimuli. Video coverage of the event showcases the immersive environment created for her special day.

To create a festive atmosphere, the park team prepared various gifts that were strategically placed throughout Atenas's enclosure, which she shares with her mother, Tabatinga. Among the gifts was a cake with a candle representing her first year, making the event both a celebration of her age and a way to engage her curiosity and natural instincts. One of her preferred gifts turned out to be a pillow, which she found more entertaining as a plaything than a resting spot.

In addition to the cake and other presents, the gift boxes themselves were enriched with natural scents and flavors, including mint and basil, aimed at stimulating Atenas's senses. This birthday celebration underscores the importance of environmental enrichment for captive animals, highlighting the commitment of the São Carlos Ecological Park to the well-being of its residents, while also providing an engaging experience for visitors who may witness such unique events in the future.