Zookeepers at Chessington World of Adventures Resort have been treating some of their residents to festive delights in the run-up to Christmas Day.

The team are always looking at ways to create engaging and innovative enrichment activities and this year it includes gifting their Western Lowland gorillas a six feet tall, tailored Christmas tree, decorated with pepper and aubergine trimmings.


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This Is Local London: Western Lowland gorillas received a tree full of treats. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures Western Lowland gorillas received a tree full of treats. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures

Over at the Southern white rhino’s enclosure, it was sprouts on the menu, a Christmas dinner staple very much to their liking.

This Is Local London: The Southern white rhino got treated with sprouts. Picture: Chessington World of AdventuresThe Southern white rhino got treated with sprouts. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures

Elsewhere at the Surrey Resort, their tower of Rothschild giraffes ‘necked’ the halls with their own edible wreaths made from boughs of holly.

This Is Local London: The giraffes enjoyed edible wreaths. Picture: Chessington World of AdventuresThe giraffes enjoyed edible wreaths. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures

The Bolivian squirrel monkeys and Humboldt penguins have been given some early presents too.


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This Is Local London: Bolivian squirrel monkeys investigate their stockings. Picture: Chessington World of AdventuresBolivian squirrel monkeys investigate their stockings. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures

Oliver Whiteway, Zoo Operations Manager at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, said: “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to enrich our animals’ lives, and what better way to celebrate Christmas than by getting them involved in the festivities.

“From our Rothschild giraffe enjoying a wreath that has been catered specifically to their dietary needs, to our Southern white rhino adding sprouts to their meals, each of our residents have been given a seasonal treat to join our guests with their celebrations.”

This Is Local London: The Humboldt penguins enjoyed some early presents. Picture: Chessington World of AdventuresThe Humboldt penguins enjoyed some early presents. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures

If you would like to see these guys in real life, or you would like to raise your heart rate after chilling out over Christmas, you can visit the Resort between December 27 and January 3 for a variety of festive thrills.

Pre-booking is essential, you can buy tickets online through Chessington World of Adventures Resort website.

This Is Local London: A sealing perhaps dreaming of white Christmas. Picture: Chessington World of AdventuresA sealing perhaps dreaming of white Christmas. Picture: Chessington World of Adventures


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Alternatively, if you or the kids have Christmas money to spend, investing in a Merlin Annual Pass will not only get you into Chessington, but you can also visit Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, The London Eye, Thorpe Park, Sea Life, Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds, to name just a few.

More information is available via the Merlin Annual Pass website.