World News for Students of English

22-12-2016 15:00

Christmas for the animals in London Zoo came early this year. The six-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs opened their Christmas presents without waiting. Inside the colored boxes, they found just what they wanted – lumps of meat.

It can be a little unusual, but the keepers here say that it is not only for publicity. They think that it encourages the animals to use their natural skills. It is a really good activity because the cubs are full of energy and this will use all of their morning energy. Then they can sleep like big kittens.

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. There are only 400 individuals in the wild today, but there were around a thousand in the 1970s.

These cubs were born in London Zoo in June. They were not the only ones enjoying the presents. The meerkats found presents under a mini Christmas tree, too.

It seems even animals know that one of the best things about Christmas is the food. But do not ask the turkeys!

Difficult words: cub (a baby animal like a bear or a tiger), lump (a small piece of something), publicity (marketing), encourage (help), endangered (only a little number exist), treat (a tasty snack, something special), meerkat (a little animal also called a suricate).

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