Playful Pele-phants’ baa-rilliant ball skills

No, they were not auditioning for a late call-up to the European Championships squad, they were practising for the Shaun the Sheep Championsheeps.

They were given pilates balls and a giant foootball to play with on Monday May 28 in the run-up to the competition, which will run from June 2-10.

The elephants also got the chance to meet a giant sheep called Shirley, who will be used in one of the sporting challenges after the zoo is transformed into a farmyard festival for all the family.

Senior keeper Stefan Groeneveld said: “The elephants love playing with their pilates balls and also a huge football which we have for them, especially two-year-old Donna.

“It’s brilliant exercise for them.”

Shaun the Sheep Championsheeps Live is a daily event included in the price of admission to the zoo.

For more information visit www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo or call 01582 872171.