Adelaide Zoo Animals Celebrate Christmas

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 25, 2020 5:00 am

A chimpanzee infant unwraps its presents at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann (Courtesy ZoosSA)

The animals at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park in South Australia have celebrated Christmas with presents delivered by their keepers.

“Both our sites are open 365 days a year including Christmas Day, so we really do get into the holiday mood,” said CE, Elaine Bensted.

At Monarto Safari Park the main event was Chimpmas. The chimpanzee troop were able to enjoy a range of presents filled with fruit and vegetable treats.

A giant panda with its Christmas present at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann (Courtesy ZoosSA)

Senior Primate Keeper Laura Hanley described the aptly named Chimpmas as a very noisy and fun spectacle: “The chimps get really excited when they see us setting up their enrichment.

“This year, the troop was treated to a pool filled with tasty peach and mint juice, a snowman made of crushed ice, multi-layered ice blocks, fruits, veg and boxes filled with healthy treats and coloured straw.”

“Little one-year-old Zola and twenty-two-month old Hope had a great time playing with balls and exploring the ice,” finished Laura.

A baboon unwraps its present at Adelaide Zoo

Photo Credit: Adrian Mann (Courtesy ZoosSA)

At Adelaide Zoo the only giant pandas in Australia were treated to a range of boxes shaped as a reindeer, a snowman and a stocking. These were crafted by the Zoos SA BEEZA (Behaviour and Environmental Enrichment of Zoo Animals team).

Wang Wang the male panda was quick to tuck in to the snowman’s carrot nose while Funi licked condensed milk off the reindeer box.

Other animals enjoying a holiday treat were the hamadryas baboon troop and the western grey kangaroo mob.

— AD —

Both Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park will open to visitors over the holiday period and will offer special night openings during December and January.

Visit their website for more details – ZooSA Website

Learn more about chimpanzees here – Chimpanzee Fact File | The Animal Facts