San Diego Zoo Animals Celebrate the Winter Holidays

Meerkats literally jumped for joy when presented with bags full of treats. The bags were hand-painted by Wild Animal Park visitors.

Lions at the zoo had their treats placed in painted boxes, while elephants received "tacos" made out of hay and food pellets.

The elephants also recently enjoyed a "snow day," when staff treated the pachyderms to the frosty stuff on a day when temperatures were in the 60's. 80,000 pounds of ice were used to create huge piles of snow that were placed in two separate locations: one by the elephant pool and another on the side of the elephant yard. 

Sumithi, a 42-year-old female Asian elephant flipped a snowball at Tembo, a 38-year-old female African elephant. The below photo shows Devi, a 31-year-old female Asian elephant, playing in the snow.

The zoo's newest baby Masai giraffe is celebrating his first winter holidays at the zoo. The first time he was let out of his nursery a few weeks ago, he "hopped and bobbed and ran on his long, knobby legs for a few hours before napping," zoo staff report.

The 6-foot-tall, 150 pound boy apparently has lots of "attitude" already and isn't afraid to stand his ground. Parents Nicky and Silver seem proud of the new addition to their family.

Finally, giant panda mom Bai Yun played with her roughhousing baby boy, Yun Zi, just like any parent would on Monday. I'm told she "gave the rambunctious boy an 'airplane ride' by lying on her back and lifting him up with her paws."

Monday was one of the first days that Yun Zi ventured out of his den and into a private outdoor area. The successful day out hints that he may soon go on public exhibit. For now, though, you can see him via the zoo's live Panda Cam.

If you can visit the San Diego Zoo in person, they're hosting special holiday events and have extended hours until 7 PM December 26-31 and on January 1 and 2.