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What do all the animals in Irish zoos get up to on Christmas Day? We found out
IT’S A REGULAR day of work for loads of people in Ireland today. Hotels have to run, the news has to be reported, care homes and helplines have to be staffed, and yep, the animals in the country’s zoos have to be looked after.
So what happens to all the lions and tigers and bears (oh my) today? Do they get any treats for Christmas?
Facebook / Fota Wildlife Park Facebook / Fota Wildlife Park / Fota Wildlife Park
For Dublin Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, Christmas Day is like any other day at the zoo (except for the fact that they are closed to the public).
Fota’s director Sean McKeown told DailyEdge.ie that the park closed on Christmas Eve for the first time this year, which is when the animals received their festive treats.
But other than that, the show has to go on:
Facebook / Tayto Park Facebook / Tayto Park / Tayto Park
Though the same tasks are done at Tayto Park in Co Meath, there’s a bit of a fuss made for the animals and the staff too.
Jessica Harley, who looks after Conservation, Education and Research at the Park, said that animals get special ‘enrichment items’ (toys that increase their physical and mental activity levels) as Christmas treats:
Jessica told us that Christmas trees are also great enrichment items, which will come as no surprise to anyone who has a cat at home.
A meerkat enjoying a Halloween-themed enrichment item. Facebook / Tayto Park Facebook / Tayto Park / Tayto Park
Staff who volunteered to work today came in to a canteen kitted out with decorations, chocolate and Christmas crackers, and there’s a family spirit in the air.
“Last year, keepers had their own Christmas surprise when a lamb was born on Christmas Eve, and another on Christmas morning,” she said. Ah, lovely.
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Dublin Zoo fota wildlife park lions and tigers and bears Tayto Park Zoo