The Bedford Estates, LondonThis week, keepers have been busy organising some fantastic Christmas enrichment for the animals across Woburn Safari Park. From presents to Christmas crackers, we spotted plenty of festive fun for animals big and small, as the countdown to Christmas begins!
Lions and Tigers Enjoy Donated Christmas Trees
First up was the African lion pride, who wasted no time investigating the many Christmas trees which have been kindly donated to the Park by A. Jakins & Sons Christmas Trees in Pulloxhill.
These big cats absolutely love Christmas trees due to their strong scent. The pride could be seen scent-marking the trees, climbing all over them, moving them about and even hiding and playing with each other in the branches! This form of enrichment is not only festive but also engages the lions’ natural instinct to mark their territory and investigate new and intriguing scents using their excellent sense of smell.
12-year-old female Amur tiger Minerva was also curious about her own Christmas tree. After waking up to a full Christmas set up in her enclosure, she could be seen sniffing and rubbing her fur along the branches as she investigated further.
Barbary Macaques Enjoy 'Cracking' Enrichment
The Barbary macaques were quick to claim their own Christmas crackers, filled with nuts and tasty vegetables. They could also be seen using their small and dexterous hands to pick out veggies keepers had hidden within the branches of some Christmas trees.
Festive Fun Over In The Foot Safari
The yuletide joy continued over in the Foot Safari, as the ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs enjoyed their own personal mini Christmas crackers, filled with beetroot and other yummy vegetables.
Last up was the slender-tailed meerkat mob over at Desert Springs. Proud parents Pansy and Brendan watched on as their youngsters tore into plenty of Christmas boxes and, perhaps most popular of all, a Christmas cracker which was quickly turned into a fun tube to hide in! The meerkats could be seen racing through the tube to reach the other end and chasing each other around excitedly.
The fun continues this Christmas season at Woburn Safari Park! Join us from Friday the 15th December for our Woburn Safari 12 Animals of Christmas Trail, featuring festive fun and prizes!
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