Christmas at the zoo

There’s wrapping paper scattered next to the Christmas tree and stockings hanging nearby.

The remnants of Christmas crackers lay about with candy canes and decorations galore. Everyone’s already been into their presents and were spoiled with meal worms, nuts, vegetables or whatever their diet requires.

It’s Christmas at New Brooklands Zoo.

The zoo’s head keeper Louise McKenna said they’ve been celebrating the festive season with the animals since she started nearly a decade ago.

‘‘We have a bit of fun,’’ she said from the meerkat enclosure with a Christmas hat on.

‘‘We’ve already got a Christmas enhancement box we pull out each year.’’

The squirrel monkeys have giant Santa sacks that have nuts hidden within. The meerkats are treated to a Christmas tree, crackers and presents. And the pigs are ‘‘destructive’’ so were given giant Christmas crackers, which are already gone.

All of the 80-plus animals at the zoo will get a treat this festive season but a lot of work goes into their decoration. Plymouth’s

‘‘That’s one of the things about working with animals, you’ve got to adapt to them.

‘‘It’s super stimulating them.’’

McKenna said the animals weren’t fed any extra food, or different food, it’s just presented to them differently. And that little difference keeps them entertained for hours, or days.

So although Christmas Day is the only day Brooklands Zoo is closed, the animals don’t miss out on the spirit of the season. for

PHOTOS: SIMON O’CONNOR/STUFF Louise McKenna said every year the animals are given a festive treat, which is usually their normal meal wrapped up in something exciting.

The meerkats love their Christmas crackers.