Birthday boy, Kito, has been having a ball with new toy following a £100 donation from a zoo supporter.

Staff used the generous gift to purchase a new Bizzy Bites boredom breaker – an enrichment toy typically used for horses, but which is also perfect for the attractions giraffe trio and Kito, who turned four last week, soon put it to the test. Keeper, Josh Luxton, said:

“I won a Bizzy Bites boredom breaker in a zoo keeper competition last year and it proved to be so popular with our giraffes, that when we received the donation, we decided to purchase another one, plus a number of mint-flavoured refill licks which go inside the ball.

“It’s great for the giraffes, who all take an interest in it, as it encourages natural grazing because we can winch it into the air in the paddock, so they have to stretch their necks and use their long tongues to reach the lick, which spins inside the ball, so it’s not that easy for them.”