Easter surprise!

Kyra couldn’t believe her eyes this morning when she discovered the Easter bunny had left her an eggciting 13th birthday gift in her paddock overnight!

The birthday girl, alongside sister Asha, couldn’t wait to get stuck into the surprise enrichment Easter delivery of a giant straw nest full of huge papier mâché eggs.

And as the video below shows, the lionesses had a grrrr-eat time ripping apart the eggs and rolling in the smelly used giraffe bedding which formed the nest.

Big Cat Keeper Josh Luxton, who assisted the Easter bunny, said: “We made the eggs out of recycled paper animal feed sacks and newspaper, sticking them together with flour and water and we sprayed them with perfumes, as well as adding a few of their favourite meaty treats inside.

“The lions, especially Kyra, loved them and it was great to see them running around the paddock enjoying their Easter surprises.”

Enrichment within a zoo environment is hugely beneficial for animal welfare by stimulating and encouraging natural hunting, tracking and foraging behaviours.

Happy Easter all – enjoy your eggs!

Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music