Animals at Košice Zoo enjoy Christmas gifts

The animals at Košice Zoo have received their Christmas gifts early, with the beasts of prey delighted most with their treats. "The goal of serving food in an unorthodox way is to stimulate in animals their natural behaviour and keep them engaged by searching for food. So-called enrichment is part and parcel of modern zoos," said Eva Malešová cited by the TASR press agency. Laura the lioness found a large piece of juicy meat, weighing three kilos, under the Christmas tree as part of the Gifts for Animals programme and enjoyed it in privacy. Lucky the tiger received his share of meat in an unusual mater, with the gift hidden not only inside a box under the Christmas tree but also wrapped in a package suspended from a tree branch. Lucky was quite shy under the scrutiny of visitors at first, but his curiosity and hunger prevailed. Cindy the she-bear lunged at her gift without hesitation, catching from a distance the sweet scent of a honey-sponge cake served in a pretty package. She was also delighted with the fruit and fish hanging on the tree. "Not even the tree goes unused, with Cindy first modifying it and then taking it into her lair, where it will serve as a bed for her," noted Malešová.