This is the very first Christmas for six-month-old Amur tiger cubs Dmitri, Makari and Czar and they were given brightly-coloured, felt stockings, scented with catnip and perfume to spark their curiosity.
The tiger cubs are not the only ones appreciating the Christmas spirit: the zoo also provided its Northern rockhopper penguins with wrapped boxes of fish snacks, as well as leaving out stockings containing carrots and lettuce for its collection of squirrel monkeys.
Columbo the sloth bear was also seen enjoying his ‘Santa sacks’ full of tasty treats such as peanuts and mealworms.
Speaking on the festivities, team leader Donovan Glyn said: “At this magical time of year, it’s wonderful to be able to share some of the fun of the season with the incredible animals we know so well.”
![Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
Whipsnade Zoo is open every day from 10 until 4. It is closed on Christmas Day.
![Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Amur tiger cubs Dmitri Makari and Czar get christmas stockings at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Columbo the sloth bear at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Rockhopper penguins at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
![Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.]( "Herts Advertiser: Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade.")
Squirrel monkeys at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Picture: ZSL Whipsnade. (Image: Archant)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here