Lions Ato and Maya and their five, four-month-old cubs, Khari, Luzuko, Ayanna, Zuri and Malika saw ‘snow’ for the very first time, thanks to a generous donation of fishy-smelling ice from the Sydney Fish Markets. For the final festive touch, five 6ft-tall pine trees were added to the exhibit to create a sensory overload for the seven Lions.
“It was an all-hands on deck approach to execute this year’s Christmas enrichment for Taronga’s Lion pride. Believe it or not, transporting one tonne of ice from the bustling Sydney Fish Market into the Lion exhibit is no easy task. We had help from Taronga’s Backyard Team who had the task of transporting the ice to wider members from across the organisation who helped the creative vision come to life, it really was a wonderful event!” says Carnivore Keeper Benjamin Haynes.
The Lion pride weren’t the only ones to receive a special Christmas treat this year. Taronga’s Giraffe tower, Jimiyu, Zarafa, Kito and Ebo enjoyed a bespoke hand-made Christmas wreath – specially crafted by Taronga’s Ungulate team.
Consisting of some of the Giraffe’s favourite foods, such as African Olive leaf and apples that replicated Christmas baubles. Taronga’s tallest residents made short work of the tasty enrichment, demolishing the wreath in a matter of minutes.
Some of Australia’s most iconic species were also given a Christmas treat, with an assortment of hand-made native Christmas wreaths and bouquets. Taronga’s dedicated horticulture team lent a hand and their expertise by collecting a range of native foliage and flora from within the Zoo grounds, which was then used to create the festive wreaths.
Having spotted some extra nutritious treats including sugar ants, resident echidnas Pitpa, Leroy and Fin were intrigued by the wreaths from the very start, while Pep and Rocka the Quokkas and Ollie and Melvin the Red-necked pademelons took a little bit of encouragement to get into the Christmas spirit, but when they did they did they were like kids on Christmas Day!
This Christmas enrichment, along with all forms of enrichment, plays a really important role in the lives of 4000 plus animals that call Taronga Zoo Sydney home. Enrichment enhances and gives the animals in Taronga’s care the opportunity to display natural behaviours they would use in the wild – whether it is investigating a new scent or foraging for their meal.
Taronga Zoo Sydney is open every day of the year including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. With so many new arrivals including a baby Pygmy Hippo Calf and five adorable Lion cubs, there has never been a better time to visit Sydney’s only not-for-profit Zoo with a view.
Still looking for that last minute Christmas gift? The new Zoo Friends Family Flex pass is the perfect gift to give any animal lover, little kid or big kid this Christmas. Think 365 days of unlimited zoo entry, plus a range of other benefits like exclusive discounts. Plus! Use one of your NSW Discover vouchers and save up to $25 on the purchase of a Zoo Friends membership, purchase yours now at: www.taronga.org.au/zoo-friends.
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
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