TWO tigers at Sydney Zoo now have a real life snow field to play in, as part of the zoo's animal enrichment program.
The resident tigers, Raja and Nika, woke to find their habitat covered in 20 tonnes of soft, fluffy snow, providing them the opportunity to explore ice for the first time.
Nika, the fourteen-year-old Siberian tiger, reportedly showed her inquisitive nature, stepping cautiously onto the ice for the first time, then grappling playfully with the snow, according to a statement from the zoo.
Carnivore keepers were thrilled with the tigers' reaction to their environment.
"We saw lots of jumping around and playful behaviour, and also some fantastic natural predatory behaviours," said David French, Curator of Carnivores.
"This is an exciting example of Sydney Zoo's ongoing commitment to ensuring we provide the highest level of positive animal welfare by stimulating natural behaviour and sensory experiences."
Sydney Zoo is open every day of the school holidays from 9am until 4pm.
Guests can now see the zoo from a different view on the new ferris wheel, and say hello to the new pair of otters and three baboon babies.
Buy tickets online at sydneyzoo.com.