This is the moment Father Christmas brings colourful presents and tasty treats to the lions, elephants and gorillas at a popular Spanish zoo.

The festive scene was filmed at Bioparc Valencia in the Spanish city of Valencia ahead of the Christmas period.

In a statement on 23rd December, the Spanish zoo said: “Lions, mongooses, elephants and gorillas enjoyed this special day and found gifts and many surprises in their enclosures.

“In addition, the park has prepared an early Christmas gift for all boys and girls aged between 4 and 12 years old – the annual child B pass! It can be obtained for free until 6th January by applying on our website.

“Maintaining our annual tradition, the animals at Bioparc Valencia were visited by Santa Claus.

“Some of the park’s best-known species, such as lions, mongooses, elephants and gorillas, were amazed at the unexpected, attractive and ‘delicious’ decoration they found when leaving their outdoor enclosure, as they do every morning.

“School groups and visitors at the Bioparc, including many tourists, have always shown their excitement at being able to witness this curious and anticipated event.

“It should be taken into account that these special events are organised as part of our animal welfare strategy developed by the park’s technical team.

“The additions to their environment stimulate the animals’ instincts, along with offering games, entertainment, and different foods.”

The park added: “During the morning, Santa Claus visited the enclosures of the different animals, all decorated with typical Christmas elements.

“He carefully delivered the huge boxes of gifts in front of visitors. The herd of elephants showed their strength and impressive trunk skills to find and open each present, one by one.

“The lions were surprised to find such strange new things in ‘their house’, but their predatory instincts and keen sense of smell made them rip open the boxes and access the tasty meat hidden inside.

“The gorilla family stirred emotion among the visitors when little Felix, Pepe and Virunga, together with their ‘older brother’ Ebo, got excited about the colourful and attractive items in their enclosure that they still haven’t stopped playing with.

“Finally, the large community of narrow-striped mongooses showed their ‘teamwork’ by sharing their appetising gifts.”