Happy 1st Birthday, Makalu!

Mischievous snow leopard Makalu is having a ball on his first birthday!

To mark the milestone, Keepers added a couple of bowling balls to the snow leopard enclosure to give the youngster a special playtime treat for his big day.

Makalu – one of DZG’s most-photographed and much-loved animals – also received plenty of cards and gifts from adopters, members and visitors.

Section Leader Jay Haywood, pictured left with a card from one of Makalu’s fans, said Makalu enjoyed playing with the ball and was growing up fast.

He said: “Makalu is a mischievous and cheeky creature who is growing in confidence every day. By the time he is 18 months old he’ll be almost fully grown.

“He is definitely one of the visitors’ favourites and one of our most-photographed animals.”

Jay said the bowling balls, donated by a local bowling alley some time ago, also provided entertainment for the proud parents, five-year-old mum Nanga and dad Margaash, aged four.

   Bowled over by his birthday treat – Makalu

Make sure you drop by to visit Makalu on his special birthday if you are with us today!

Otherwise see what the birthday boy made of the surprise bowling ball in our video below.