Exotic animals at Dudley Zoo and Castle have been getting into the Christmas spirit with some festive enrichment.

Zookeepers have been busy making papier-mâché decorations, filled with tasty treats, for the likes of the meerkats, red pandas and giraffe to enjoy, while the Asiatic short-clawed otters have been enjoying smelling the heady scent of their own Christmas tree. Curator, Richard Brown said:

“Enrichment is a way to stimulate and encourage natural behaviours and is hugely beneficial in a zoo environment.
 
“Keepers regularly devise various enrichment methods for the animals, whether it’s something different to smell, taste or even simply the way they present their food.
 
“And this Christmas, staff have certainly been creative in some of their methods, which have all been enjoyed by species across the zoo site. “
 
Throughout December the Midlands attraction has discounted all admission tickets to £10, allowing visitors to discover more about DZC’s 200 animal species at a reduced rate.
 
There’s also the chance to win an animal adoption by hunting out lost presents around the zoo’s 40 acres as well as spotting festive decorations at the reindeer paddock, farm barn and Safari Shop, where Santa can be found greeting visitors each day until Christmas Eve from his socially distanced display.