Christmas came early today for Taronga Zoo’s Meerkats, Ring-tailed Lemurs and Australian Sea Lions, who spent the morning feasting on some festive-themed enrichment treats prepared by keepers and volunteers.

Taronga’s six meerkat pups and their mob awoke to find Christmas-themed wicker baskets filled with mealworms throughout their exhibit. The merry meerkats showed off their natural foraging skills to uncover the tasty rewards.

The Zoo’s Ring-tailed Lemurs leaped through their walk-through exhibit, digging into Christmas wreaths and pinecones drizzled in puree. The lively lemurs also licked their way through a buffet of frozen Christmas-shaped treats.

Keepers also spread some Christmas cheer at Seal Bay where the resident Australian Sea Lions enjoyed colourful fish popsicles.

Marine Mammals Keeper, Lindsay Wright said that while Christmas only comes once a year, enrichment is something Taronga incorporates into the lives of its remarkable animals every day.

“Our Australian Sea Lions, Lexie and Nala, had a lot of fun today playing with their Christmas tree and bauble shaped fish-popsicles. Sea Lions love playing with ice and the fish inside is just an extra treat,” said Lindsay.

“These enrichment activities provide important mental and physical stimulation for our animals, providing them with opportunities to show off the amazing natural skills they have developed to be successful survivors in the wild.”

Taronga Zoo is open every day of the summer school holidays, including Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Media Contact: Natasha Borg, 9978 4752, 0467 801 889, nborg@zoo.nsw.gov.au