Animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park were delighted after being treated to special Easter eggs.
Keepers at the park surprised several residents with hand-decorated eggs as part of their seasonal enrichment activities, designed to engage animals with their food and surroundings in new and stimulating ways.
Chris Kibbey, assistant animal manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: "The Beaded Lizards, Binturong and Dwarf Mongoose all receive eggs as part of their carefully controlled diets.
"However, at this time of year the keepers like to show off their artistic skills and decorate the eggs for some of their animals.
Read more
King Charles and Camilla invited to summer royal wedding in Cotswolds
Cosy Cotswolds pub named among UK's best and up for national award
One-man brewery and taproom set to open in city next week
"Mammal keepers Charlotte and Abbie enjoyed painting this years’ Easter offerings, and all of the animals enjoyed their gifts."
He said the tradition benefits both staff and animals alike.
Mr Kibbey said: "In reality, giving the animals painted eggs at Easter is both rewarding for the keepers who decorate them, and the animals who have to work out how to crack them open.
"Enrichment is a very important aspect of animal care, and this is just another way of keeping the animals healthy and stimulated."
Dwarf mongooses were particularly quick to investigate and tuck into their colourful eggs, while the park’s binturongs quickly demolished them.
The beaded lizards, one of only two species of venomous lizard in the world, took a more leisurely approach but eventually devoured their decorated treats.
Their eggs were painted by Meg, the Head of Reptiles at the park.
