Meerkats, Siamang gibbons and red ruffed lemurs enjoyed an early Easter present as they cracked open Easter themed eggs and explored Easter egg boxes.

Keepers made the eggs out of papier mache and placed the animals’ favourite food, including fruit and vegetables for the Siamang gibbons and red ruffed lemurs and crickets for the meerkats, inside for them to eat and investigate.

Keeper Amanda Cameron said: “Most animals enjoy foraging for food and the eggs provide a great way to help encourage their natural behaviour. Luang, dad to the family of Siamang gibbons, was the first to explore the eggs and really enjoyed finding his food. His son, Rosh, followed dad’s lead although he was a bit more cautious, which is only natural as at nine years old, he is still a youngster.”

The eggs’ smells, textures, shapes and colours stimulated the animals’ senses, and are part of Marwell’s behavioural enrichment programme of activity designed to encourage the animals’ natural behaviour and curiosity.

30 March 2010