Christmas comes early for the Gorillas at Longleat

Gorillas at Longleat, Warminster were given early Christmas presents which contained some of their favourite fruits and vegetables. 

The Gorillas, Alf, Evindi and Kesho were presented with a sack full of presents by the staff at Longlet Safari and Adventure Park. 

Longleat's Deputy Head Keeper, Ian Turner said: "The Gorillas were really interested in the wrapping paper and spent several minutes looking at it and carefully inspecting each of the presents before taking off the paper."

The Western Lowland Gorillas who are all brothers and born at Dublin Zoo were reunited together this year at Longleat.

"It's always amazing to see just how gentle these hugely powerful apes can be and to admire their dexterity as they tore back little bits of the wrapping to get a peek of what's inside," Ian Turner added.

Many of the animals at Longleat have received festive treats and provisions to help them endure the cold winter nights including the Chipmunks who received many socks donated by the public. 

The Rhesus monkeys were also given gifts for the festive season including signs to remind Santa to stop at their colony on Christmas Eve. 

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is currently open to the public for their Christmas extravaganza celebrations which includes appearances from pantomime favourites and an ice rink.