Hippos at Whipsnade Zoo have Christmas dinner early
Two hungry hippos have had their Christmas dinner early this year, as zookeepers at Whipsnade Zoo served them up 5kg of brussels sprouts
Christmas dinner has come early for two lucky hippos at Whipsnade Zoo.
Four year-old hippo Hodor and his mum, 1.5 tonne hippo, Lola, were encouraged to try a new vegetable this festive season by their keepers. A vegetable many turn their noses up at but yet still makes an appearance annually for the holiday season.
Although the hippos had never tried sprouts before, their keepers were hopeful that brussels sprouts could be a new favourite, based on their love of cabbages and the similarity between the vegetables.
The two, mammoth pachyderms immediately devoured the pile of 260 brussels sprouts, within a matter of minutes. Some of the sprouts did take a tumble into their pool, but the pair were quick to dive in and rescue any stray vegetables floating in what looks like a river of gravy.
Team leader Mark Holden said: “If you think the brussels sprouts on your Christmas Day plate are unappetising, just look at these sprouts, bobbing around the hippo pool. Hodor and Lola not only seem to think brussels sprouts are an unmatched delicacy, but they are very happy scooping any runaway veg out of their brown, wallowing-pool with their giant jaws!"
Families wanting to walk-off their Christmas dinner can visit Lola and Hodor, as well as elephants, tigers and 9500 more animals, throughout December, for a wonderful winter’s day out at Whipsnade Zoo.