Israeli giraffes receive giant hamantash for Purim
While giraffes can't make noise during the megila reading, they are able to enjoy a tasty hamantash!
By HAGAY HACOHENUpdated: MARCH 1, 2018 07:06Giraffes enjoying special treat for Purim (photo credit: RAMAT GAN SAFARI)
The caretakers of the giraffes in the Ramat Gan Safari made sure on Wednesday that their beloved giraffes could enjoy the spirit of the Jewish holiday of Purim. The handlers created a giant "hamantash" made from alfalfa, wild-fig branches and green and white onions for the slender-necked beasts.Normally, a hamantash is a cookie served on Purim with a variety of different fillings.Onions are regarded by giraffes as very tasty treats. The animals needed to find creative ways to get to the various branches and vegetables using their long tongues and teeth, as the "hamantash" was formed inside a tough net instead of the more traditional yeast-dough. The branches and leaves needed to be grabbed and pulled out of the net using skill and imagination.Special activities of these sort are very important for animals held in captivity as they break routine and allow them to learn and practice new skills.Loved by many for their beauty, height and slender long necks, giraffes are very fast runners and very strong. They're able to smash the skull of a hungry lion in one well-placed kick!
