The creatures at Cotswold Wildlife Park received a special Easter treat as keepers presented them with creatively adorned eggs.

Staff members at the park surprised various animals with custom-decorated eggs as part of their annual spring enrichment program, aimed at providing animals with novel ways to interact with their food and environment.

Chris Kibbey, assistant animal manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park, stated: “The Beaded Lizards, Binturong and Dwarf Mongoose all receive eggs as part of their carefully controlled diets.

“However, at this time of year the keepers like to show off their artistic skills and decorate the eggs for some of their animals.

“Mammal keepers Charlotte and Abbie enjoyed painting this years’ Easter offerings, and all of the animals enjoyed their gifts.”

He explained that the practice provides advantages for both employees and inhabitants.

Mr Kibbey noted: “In reality, giving the animals painted eggs at Easter is both rewarding for the keepers who decorate them, and the animals who have to work out how to crack them open.

“Enrichment is a very important aspect of animal care, and this is just another way of keeping the animals healthy and stimulated.”

Dwarf mongooses wasted no time inspecting and consuming their vibrant eggs, while the park’s binturongs rapidly finished theirs.

The beaded lizards, one of just two venomous lizard species found globally, adopted a slower approach but ultimately consumed their decorated treats.

Meg, the Head of Reptiles at the park, was responsible for decorating their eggs.