PERU: Peruvian zoo animals get in on Christmas spirit

Record ID: 602257

  • Title: PERU: Peruvian zoo animals get in on Christmas spirit
  • Date: 25th December 2008
  • Summary: LIMA, PERU (RECENT) (REUTERS) SANTA TOURING LIMA ZOO "PARK OF THE LEGENDS" WITH A DONKEY
  • Embargoed: 9th January 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Peru
  • Country: Peru
  • Topics: Environment / Natural World,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA9FEAMDES68MLQMO7XBV96XQM3
  • Story Text: Wild animals and native birds are featured in a live nativity scene at Peru's "Park of the Legends".
    Lima's "Park of the Legends" zoo is living up to its name this Christmas with its own special blend of holiday magic featuring Santa, Jesus, and exotic animals from the Peruvian jungle.
    Children were delighted to accompany Santa and his furry companion as he toured the zoo recently spreading Christmas cheer, and naturally, checking in to see who has been naughty and nice.
    First on the list - with a donkey in tow - he congratulated a family of tapirs on their newest addition.
    Even the resident Condor opened his arms, or shall we say wings, to the jolly visitor.
    The alpacas and llamas were wide-eyed with the excitement generated by his arrival.
    For the first time, the park - which is known for its larger number of native Peruvian species such as rodents like the pacarana - assembled a live nativity scene, with the zoo's wild animals, and a bird native to the region's jungle called the papagayo.
    Tourists from as far away as Russia were touched by the uniqueness of the festivities: "The nativity scene we have seen with the animals from this area of the world was very pretty, a beautiful experience that we would recommend to everyone," said Bokhan.
    All of the park's residents got into the act, gleefully entertaining their guests, and sending some children home with new dreams about what they may see under the tree on Christmas morning: "I wish that they will give me a lion for Christmas to look after my house," said one child.
    A tall order to fill, even for the man in red.
    The "Park of the Legends" has 2100 animals, representing 268 species, and is divided into the natural regions of the country: coastal, highlands, and jungle. All three areas were decorated for the season.
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