Keepers branch out with tree-mendous tiger toy
Monday 9 January 2012
Keepers at ZSL London Zoo have been making good use of the Zoo's old Christmas trees this January as enrichment "toys" for our pair of Sumatran tigers.
© ZSL
The recycled Christmas trees have been a popular new enrichment items for Sumatran tigers, Lumpur and Reika. Different scents are used as part of the tigers' regular enrichment to stimulate their natural curiosity so the fragrant fir trees were a real treat for the pair.
Introducing new objects into the enclosure also encourages the big cats to explore the changed environment and re-mark their territory.
Big cat keeper Paul Kybett commented,
"Lumpur, our male Sumatran tiger, is known to be playful and will immediately investigate something new in his environment. The size, shape and smells on the tree attract him as it is his natural instinct to follow his nose. Lumpur in particular cannot leave the Christmas tree alone!"
