THE TIGER and red panda cubs at West Midlands Safari Park have enjoyed their first festive season at the popular attraction, making the most of some Christmas treats.
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.
The red pandas carefully investigated their stockings before delicately extracting the tasty treats inside, appreciating every last bite.
The treats also encourage natural behaviours.
Head of wildlife, Angela Potter, said Christmas was an exciting time of year for everyone, including the park’s animals.
“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 has brought added sparkle for the animals, it remained business as usual for the park’s dedicated wildlife teams, who are on site every day of the year to ensure the highest standards of care for the resident animals.
Angela added Christmas was just another normal working day for the wildlife keepers who were on site to ensure animals were clean, warm and well fed before they headed home for their own Christmas dinners.
Visit: wmsp.co.uk for more on West Midlands Safari Park.
