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 wasted no time opening their Christmas presents. Inside the brightly colored boxes, they found just what they always wanted – lumps of meat.

Although it may all seem a little unusual, the keepers here insist that it is more than just a publicity stunt. They think that it encourages the animals to use their natural skills. It is a really useful activity since the cubs are full of energy and this will probably use all of their morning energy. Then they can go to sleep like big kittens.

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. There are fewer than 400 individuals in the wild today, compare to around a thousand in the 1970s.

These cubs were born in London Zoo in June and they were not the only ones enjoying the festive treats. The zoo’s meerkats were also searching under a mini Christmas tree for pine-cone balls.

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

Difficult words: lump (a piece of something), publicity stunt (something that is done to get publicity and attention), meerkat (a little furry animal also called a suricate).

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