Santa Claws Visits Drusillas Park

As children around the world wait excitedly for the Big Day to arrive, the four-legged residents of Drusillas Park have woken up to a feast of festive favours left by Santa Claws.

Capuchin monkeys, Barney and Junior have been exceptionally good this year and were handsomely rewarded. On the top of their wish list was a large helping of monkey nuts and their bumper stockings were filled to the brim. The delighted duo revelled with excitement as they tore into the peanut parcels. The curious coatis also received a special delivery from the Great Man; stockings crammed full of grapes and a traditional orange. The group took no time in investigating the goodies and the merry meal was over in minutes.

Elsewhere in the Park, the mischievous meerkats were making their own happy discovery. They received crackers crammed full of magical meal-worms left by Santa Claws. Christmas certainly went off with a bang as the troop tugged at both ends to reveal the delicious delicacy inside.

Delivering the animals’ meals in imaginative and unusual ways is all part of the zoo’s daily enrichment programme, with Christmas being no exception. This ensures they receive a varied and diverse diet, as well as encouraging them to think and work for their food as they would in the wild.

Although the Park is shut to the public on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the zoo team will be beavering away throughout the holidays to ensure all the animals are clean and comfortable. Only then will they be able to go home and have a Merry Christmas of their own.