Santa Paws has made a very special Christmas Day stop at Adelaide Zoo, delighting animals big and small with festive enrichment. With a helping hand from Zoos SA’s volunteer BEEZA team – Behaviour and Environmental Enrichment of Zoo Animals – the zoo’s furry, feathered and flippered residents eagerly tore into colourful Christmas presents filled with species-appropriate goodies.
Fan favourites Yi Lan and Xing Qiu enjoyed their own panda-perfect surprises, while Ring-tailed Lemurs, Cotton-top Tamarins, Emperor Tamarins, Little Blue Penguins and a variety of bird species explored and unwrapped festive enrichment designed to encourage natural behaviours such as foraging, problem-solving and play.
Zoos SA Chief Executive Phil Ainsley said the annual enrichment was a joyful way to celebrate Christmas, while keeping animal welfare at the heart of the festivities.
“Christmas enrichment is something our teams and volunteers put a huge amount of thought and care into,” Dr Ainsley said.
“It’s not just about the fun – although there’s plenty of that – it’s about providing meaningful, species-specific enrichment that supports the animals’ physical and mental wellbeing.”
Dr Ainsley said the BEEZA volunteers and keeping teams work closely to design enrichment that reflects how each species naturally interacts with its environment.
“Whether it’s tearing, tugging, sniffing or foraging, these activities allow animals to express their natural behaviours, which is a vital part of ensuring they thrive in our care,” he said.
“Seeing them engage so enthusiastically – especially on Christmas Day – is a real highlight for all of us.”
Christmas at the zoo is also a special time for the wider community, with families, friends and wildlife lovers choosing to spend part of their festive celebrations surrounded by nature.
“As a not-for-profit conservation charity, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supports Zoos SA,” Dr Ainsley said.
“Every visit, membership and experience purchased helps fund our vital conservation work here in South Australia and across the globe. Spending Christmas Day with us truly helps make a difference for wildlife.”
Zoos SA wishes everyone a safe, joyful festive season – and hopes this Christmas video brings a smile, a laugh and maybe even a little inspiration to support wildlife into the new year.
