As the National Zoo and Aquarium prepares for one of their busiest weekends of the year, a special guest visited some of the residents this morning, Thursday 6 April. With basket in hand, the Easter Bunny stopped at some enclosures to hand out treats to various non-mythical creatures.

There was no chocolate to be seen, rather, there were eggs – plastic ones filled with nutritious treats for the animals. The contents differed for each species to cater for various dietary needs while still being tasty.

Although the animals aren’t aware that this weekend is Easter, zookeeper Olivia Ware says that, like humans, they enjoy getting Easter treats.

“I think they definitely feel the excitement. They, of course, can’t tell the time, but they know when they get some extra treats throughout the year,” she says.

Squirrel monkeys were delighted with their Easter baskets filled with delicious morsels, but they were far more excited by the fake carrots, wanting to tear them apart.

Meerkats were given chopped fruit and vegetables as well as some protein, and were taken with the soft bed the treats arrived with, chasing one another in and out.

Easter-themed meals were delivered to the Siamang family: mum, dad, and the two kids received one each. The younger primates were excited by the paper and their games quickly caught the attention of passersby.

“She’s a cheeky little one, she’s middle child of the family, so she likes to make sure that everyone is watching her, and she is definitely taking the attention away from everyone else,” Ms Ware says of the young female Siamang.

CW was lucky enough to get up close to the Ruff Lemurs as they enjoyed special treats – sultanas hidden in plastic eggs. Ms Ware says that the eggs had to be slightly open, as the lemurs will only eat food they can see and aren’t the type of animal that likes a challenge with their snack.

Often mistaken for part of the monkey family tree, these primates are part of the Strepsirrhini family. Ms Ware says the matriarchal species are happy to co-habit with little arguing.

“We have six lemurs in our enclosure – mum, dad and their four sons – and they’re just really a really happy family,” she smiles.

The National Zoo and Aquarium is open across the entire Easter long weekend, 9.30am-5pm daily; nationalzoo.com.au

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