Perth Zoo animals go wild for Easter treats as keepers swap chocolate for enrichment fun

While the rest of us are preparing to nurse a cocoa-induced coma, the keepers and a dedicated army of volunteers have been busy playing Easter Bunny for some of the Perth Zoo’s most iconic faces.

But don’t be mistaken — while it looks like a hopping good time, the animals’ festive treats — unlike our festive delicacy of choice — are more than just a sugar hit.

Sabi, the Zoo’s legendary 18-year-old Spotted Hyena, was treated to a stuffed meat bunny crafted from cardboard boxes.

Sabi wasted no time ripping through the cardboard like a kid through gift wrap.

Just a stone’s throw away in the African Savannah, the neighbourhood’s cheekiest trio of slender-tailed meerkats dug into a jumbo Easter bag full of live crickets.

They were digging, sniffing, and diving head-first into the bag to ensure no bug was left behind.

Scattered across their habitat were “Easter crackers”— brightly wrapped cardboard tubes filled with carrots and corn, tied tight with ribbons.

According to the animal care team, these activities are eggs-ential for top-notch welfare.

They encouraged the animals to use their natural foraging instincts and kept them active for hours as they worked out how to reach the treats inside.

By hiding food and changing up the delivery, Perth Zoo ensures the animals stay active, engaged, and curious.