Kiwis weren't the only ones tucking into a joyous Christmas Day feast, with the animals at Auckland Zoo also getting into the festive spirit.
"Meri Kirihimete from Auckland Zoo to you and yours!" Auckland Zoo said today on social media. "While we’re enjoying some festive fun today, our keepers are ensuring the animals in our care do too!"
Visitors to the zoo this week looked on as the big cats were treated to refreshing Christmas treats – ice blocks and baubles made with blood and lactose-free pet milk.
"The tigers also enjoyed ground cloves and ginger sprinkled on their meat, and the lions had a good roll around in some rhinoceros poop. Novel scents provide enriching opportunities for these cats, triggering exploring as well as territorial scent marking. The Christmas trees were also kindly donated for an extra enriching time!"
The giraffes received carrot and lettuce ice blocks, while the otters and porcupines tucked into ice baubles filled with tasty treats.
For the orangutans, it was a more gourmet affair, with ice blocks made from "rosemary, cherry tomatoes, peas, flowers and herbal tea".
The kea enjoyed a miniature Christmas tree adorned with peanut butter smears and festooned with grape and cashew ornaments, while the takahē had festive crackers filled with "grass and a sprinkle of carrot and mealworms". For the African grey parakeets, the table was set with pinecones filled with tasty treats.
Auckland Zoo will reopen from tomorrow.
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