Animal pals at London Zoo celebrate Christmas with some early festive presents

TWAS two weeks before Christmas and ALL the creatures were stirring - because they just got a bunch of presents.

Lions at the London Zoo were able to literally rip into their presents while other lucky animals, including squirrel monkeys and penguins got in a flap over their festive gifts.

The gift wrapping was all caught on camera, with the adorable animals immediately curious over the presence of the presents in their enclosures.

All of the animals were gifted specific presents that made use of their natural skills - challenging the excited animals and giving them something new to try.

Zoological Society of London manager Mark Habben said: "We love a bit of Christmas cheer at ZSL London Zoo, and like to find fun ways for the animals to join in the celebrations.

"We’ve come up with a variety of activities to encourage them to use their natural skills, like foraging or sniffing out their next meal.

"Our lionesses will love using their hunting prowess to rip open their presents, while our penguins will be searching for treats under the tree - just like kids all over the country on Christmas day."

The zoo's lionesses Heidi, Indi and Rubi woke to a pile of gift-wrapped cardboard boxes which they delighted in ripping apart with their claws.

One lioness was even so excited about her present that she stuck her head into the box.

And the monkeys found festive stockings filled with treats hanging from the climbing ropes in their enclosure.

Jumping around on their ropes, the fuzzy creatures sniffed and licked the red stockings from Santa.

ZSL London Zoo is open to the public all year round except for Christmas Day.

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