WATCH: Christmas came early for the animals at Belfast Zoo
What do you get an elephant for Christmas?
It looks like the animals at Belfast Zoo made it onto the nice list this Christmas, after some special deliveries were made early by festive zookeepers.
Two elderly rescue elephants, the meerkats and the penguins, were just as excited as kids on Christmas to receive wrapped presents earlier this week.
If you think shopping for your granny can be difficult, what on earth do you buy for a 4000kg elephant?
Instead of stockings, the animals received colourful boxes filled with animal enrichment gifts.
Acting Zoo Manager, Andrew Hope, explains, “Animals often tend to get excited whenever they discover something new in their home. Some animals dig into their gifts straight away such as the meerkats and the elephants, whereas some are a little more reserved and inquisitive, like the penguins.
“You never quite know what way an animal will respond and it can often be quite funny to see them getting excited. Providing the animals with items that they don't regularly receive, such as colourful wrapped boxes, helps to physically and mentally stimulate the animals. This type of enrichment is used to help keep the animals happy and healthy as it encourages natural behaviour and provides stimulation.”
Dhunja and Yhetto the zoo's elephants, made short work of their gifts which were boxes stuffed with hay, apples and carrots.
Yhetto can't wait to open up the colourful wrapped presents.
A group of meerkats were seen eagerly rummaging through their boxes which were filled with tasty mealworms.
The zoo's gentoo penguins were also treated to bright red boxes which they were a little wary of at first, but curiosity soon took over.
Visitors can catch more of the animals getting their Christmas treats over two weekends in December (11-12 and 18-19 December). Enjoy festive feeding times as Santa will be treating the animals to Christmas gifts such as wrapped boxes, crackers and stockings.
For further information and to view the schedule visit the Belfast Zoo website - HERE){:rel=nofollow :target=_blank}
Kids go free* for the month of December too so there couldn’t be a better time to grab your woolly hats and plan your next trip to Belfast Zoo!
*One free child admission with every paying adult
Watch the animals react to their special gifts 👇
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