Monarto Safari Park and Adelaide Zoo deliver enrichment Easter treats

Zoos SA has treated its animals at Monarto Safari Park and Adelaide Zoo with colourful enrichment boxes filled with tasty treats, created by the bilby’s talented volunteer friends in BEEZA (Behavioural and Environmental Enrichment for Zoo Animals).

Monarto Safari Park’s native animals, including the Greater Bilbies, Potoroos, and critically-endangered Brush-tailed Bettongs, munched mealworms and kibble hidden inside festively- painted eggs.

The Easter fun extended from some of the smallest residents to the park’s biggest and fiercest, with the lion pride exploring scent-based enrichment decorations and Asian Elephants, Burma and Permai, tucking into watermelon 'eggs' and a sweet honey treat.

At Adelaide Zoo, the holiday spirit was in full swing, as Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, Flash, and Quokka, Ringy, nibbled on snacks hidden inside an extra-large Easter carrot, the Pelicans enjoyed fish-filled enrichment boxes and native species Gilly and Peri, the Brush-tailed Mulgara, and Stick-nest Rat, Pedro, tucked into mealworms and Saltbush seedmix.

Meanwhile, two extra special sets of paws celebrated their very first Easter.

The double delight, Greater Bilby twins, popped their tiny snouts out to tuck into some goodies and take part in some artistic Easter fun just in time for the long weekend.

Keeper, Kasey Fenwick, said the three-month-old male duo weigh just 280g each and have started to explore their habitat outside of mum, Hallie’s, pouch.

Fenwick shared “It’s amazing to have this news to share just in time for Easter, as numbers of Greater Bilbies are declining and they are classified as vulnerable to extinction.

“It’s great that the bilby is starting to become an icon for Easter in Australia rather than an invasive species like the bunny.

“The bilby is a symbol of hope for our native wildlife and these boys are a hop in the right direction for the conservation of the species, as they allow us to raise awareness about these floppy-eared natives and their protection in the wild.”

For more information on the species at Zoos SA visit adelaidezoo.com.au or monartosafaripark.com.au.