The Force is strong at Drusillas this International Star Wars Day!

Not so long ago, in a zoo not so far away, the Force was strong at Drusillas Park. As fans across the galaxy prepare to celebrate International Star Wars Day, a burst of cosmic energy swept into the East Sussex attraction. With a playful nod to the iconic saga, some of the park’s residents embraced their “galactic alter-egos” - from the wise Meerkat Windu and ever-chilled Slowbi-Wan Kenobi to the heroic Luke Skylemur. Even Emperor Capy-tine and the formidable Count Sakooku joined in the fun, as animals across the park enjoyed a truly out of this world themed enrichment.

To mark the occasion, zookeepers channelled both the light and dark sides of the Force, creating a range of imaginative enrichments. Zoo-friendly “lightsabers” crafted from materials including recyclable straws were filled with hidden vegetable surprises, as well as crunchy celery, leeks and vibrant rhubarb to represent the red and green colours of the iconic Star Wars devices.

Keepers couldn’t wait to see whether residents decided to side with the Jedi or the Empire.

Pirez the saki monkey showed his rebellious side by immediately going for the red saber, pledging his allegiance to the Sith - ultimately breaking it in half in his search for the sweetcorn treat inside. Meanwhile, a silvery marmoset appeared to have been trained by Master Yoda, picking up a green saber and swinging it with ease to uncover a tasty snack.

Delicious vegetable stars and a mushroom and green pepper ‘Yoda’ brought a taste of the galaxy to the animals habitats. With capybaras Pumpkin and Suede - a duo to rival Han Solo and Chewbacca - wasting no time tucking into their starry treats. Over in the meerkat home (which closely resembles Tatooine), residents sprang into hyperspace as soon as they spotted the galactic snacks, with the tasty morsels disappearing quicker than the Millennium Falcon. Halina, the sloth however, proved herself a true Jedi, refusing to munch on Yoda - no matter how tempting he looked.

Meanwhile, in other habitats, a familiar spherical object appeared. Inspired by the legendary Death Star (though thankfully much smaller), these enrichment balls proved perfect for chasing, nudging and energetic play. Some residents, including Tank the armadillo, embraced their inner R2-D2 and dived straight into the action, while others - including the bouncy new lemur troop - took a more cautious, C-3PO approach, observing before investigating.

Enrichment activities like these play an essential role in zoo life, helping animals stay physically active and mentally stimulated. By encouraging natural behaviours such as foraging, problem-solving and exploration, these experiences reflect challenges animals might face in the wild - just with a little added cosmic flair.

“Enrichment doesn’t have to be from another planet to be effective for our residents,” explained Gemma Romanis, Head Zookeeper. “Sometimes simple ideas - like exploring for food or interacting with new objects is great physical and mental stimulation. Adding a fun theme like Star Wars helps bring people closer to what we do.”