KEEPERS at the West Midland Safari Park have been celebrating the festive season by treating their animals to special gifts.

Staff have been busy preparing presents and Christmas-themed enrichment for the animals, from shiny baubles for the penguins, to festive trees made of bamboo for the lorikeets.

Larger gifts have been made for the park's crash of Asian and southern white rhinos, including the latest addition to the family, 3-month-old baby Granville.

The excitable young southern white rhino was presented with a giant silver and red box containing hay, which he shared with his mother Ailsa.

Decorated stockings stuffed with treats have also been made for Asian rhino trio Rap, Sundanda and Seto, for them to enjoy in their cosy enclosures on Christmas Day.

Sarah Kirby, Senior Keeper of Ungulates, said, “Enrichment is an important part of the daily lives of the rhinos as it challenges them physically and mentally. I chose to make stockings for them as it’s something they’ve never encountered before and as they’ve been so good all year so they are definitely on Santa’s nice list.

“Keepers think of the animals as part of our extended family, so we love to get them involved in the Christmas spirit and watch them open their presents.

"We will be coming in to work over the festive period and the rhinos will be getting plenty of treats to celebrate and as always, will be well looked after.”

The keepers will arrive at the park earlier on Christmas Day to make sure all of the animals have their dinner and are warm and cosy, before they head home for their own celebrations.

West Midland Safari Park is open daily until Christmas Eve and then open on weekends only through the winter until 10 Feb 2019.

Admission costs £20.00 for adults, £15.00 for children aged 3-15 years and £18.00 for concessions, which includes a free return ticket.

Further information and tickets are available from the Park’s website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114.