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Santa Claus made a special stop at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to give all the good little zoo babies some special treats.
And while the zoo says all of their animals are on obviously on Santa’s “nice” list, the man in red made a few special stops for the younger residents.
Santa brought baby rhino Ajani Joe a great big ball and went with a sure favorite for red pandas bamboo, said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard in a release. Fiona was thrilled with the lettuce that he brought her and liked the box it was on just as much! Baby wallaby Pocket and baby giraffe Theo took their time investigating Santas gifts.
(Fiona might not technically be a baby anymore, but she’ll always be the people’s princess.)
The zoo’s team of volunteer enrichment committee elves helped Santa craft special gift boxes, houses and stockings, complete with edible treats (and recycled, animal-safe materials).
The last night to visit Santa at the Cincinnati Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights is Dec. 23.
The award-winning light show which just took home first place for Best Zoo Lights in USA Today’s 10Best poll will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but will reopen Dec. 26. Daily runtimes go through Jan. 3 with special bonus nights Jan. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17.
Photos by Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa Hubbard
Fiona and Bibi with Santa Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardFiona got some lettuce and other treats on top of a box. Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardShe also really liked the box. Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardThe zoo says, “Baby wallaby Pocket and baby giraffe Theo took their time investigating Santas gifts. Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardTheo is the 17th giraffe to be born at the zoo since 1889. Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardPocket is unsure of Santa’s treats Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardBaby rhino Ajani Joe got a special ball from Santa Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardReady for more lettuce Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardFiona Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardTheo was born Nov. 23, 2019 shortly after Kimba, his father, died from complications after hoof surgery Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardPocket the wallaby made his debut, peeking out of his mama’s pouch on May 23 this year Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardThe red pandas got bamboo. The zoo has a very successful red panda breeding program. Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardFiona’s lettuce box Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardEastern black rhino Ajani Joe was born Aug. 21 Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardProvided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa HubbardThe red pandas love their bamboo and toy hut Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo | Lisa Hubbard