Hundreds gathered at the Toronto Zoo on Saturday to watch giant pandas Er Shun and Da Mao open their Christmas presents.
The two animals tore through piñatas full of their favourite treats.
It's present time ���� #TOPandas pic.twitter.com/PzCQgr0gYM
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) December 26, 2015
The event, called Piñatas for Pandas, is intended to provide entertainment for the public and the pandas. The piñatas also encourage the animals to use their foraging instincts.
“The Toronto Zoo is always looking for creative animal enrichment that connects guests and animals in a relatable way,” the zoo said in a statement. “Panda Piñatas encourage foraging, which is the act of looking or searching for food.”
The zoo said similar activities are set up for the pandas for nearly every special occasion.
“Whether it’s for their birthdays, Halloween, Christmas or Chinese New Year, Canada’s only giant panda pair enjoy the fun of getting to some of the favourite treats in some of the most creative designs,” the zoo said.
Er Shun and Da Mao are currently the only giant pandas in Canada.
In November, Er Shun gave birth to two healthy panda cubs. The cubs are now 10 weeks old and are not yet viewable to the public.
#2015In5Words Toronto Zoo giant panda cubs pic.twitter.com/pwycFmj26v
— The Toronto Zoo (@TheTorontoZoo) December 18, 2015
Chosen as a good genetic match for breeding, the two pandas arrived from China in March of 2013. For the first time since 1985, the Toronto Zoo will be home to the pandas for a minimum on five years before they are moved to the Calgary Zoo for another five years.
