Cubs' First Christmas Comes Early
The tiger and red panda cubs have been enjoying some early festive treats to celebrate their first Christmas.
The youngsters were gifted carefully planned Christmas enrichment by their keepers, with species appropriate treats hidden inside sacks and stockings.
The 11-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs, Nova, Nadirah and Naresh, along with their older sister, Lestari and mum, Dourga, were gifted some personalised Santa sacks, filled with straw and fish, then finished with a spray of perfume.
These were an instant hit, with the tigers excitedly grabbing a sack, tearing at it with their teeth and claws and fiercely guarding it, should a family member come too close!
Meanwhile stockings filled with bamboo, straw, sweet potato and sweetcorn, were hung up for the six-month-old red twin panda cubs, Nikisha and Nadiya and their parents, Sanka and Mei Lin.
Whilst not as boisterous as the tigers, the red pandas carefully investigated their stockings before delicately extracting the tasty treats inside, appreciating every last bite.
The enrichment isn’t just a treat for the animals, as it also encourages natural behaviours, curiosity and problem-solving, while offering the cubs new sights, scents and textures to explore.
Head of Wildlife, Angela Potter, said, “Christmas is an exciting time of year for everyone, and our animals are no exception. The keepers ensure that all the animals in our care get some Christmas cheer in the form of species appropriate gifts and treats. This special enrichment promotes natural behaviours, novel stimuli and opportunities for problem solving. These activities enhance welfare for our animals and what is cuter than red pandas with their own Christmas stockings?!”
While the festive season brings added sparkle for the animals, it remains business as usual for the our dedicated wildlife teams, who are on site every day of the year to ensure the highest standards of care for the resident animals.
Angela continued, “Christmas is just another normal working day for the wildlife keepers. They will be on site to ensure the animals are clean, warm and that they are well fed before they head off home for their own, late Christmas dinner. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication to our animals, not just over the Christmas period but throughout the whole year.”
Guests visiting over the winter season may spot other animals around the Park investigating their festive surprises, both on the Safari Drive or in the walk-through areas.
