Colchester Zoo chimpanzees and sea lions given basketballs

Chimpanzees went ape for basketball and sea lions made a splash after 40 balls were donated to Colchester Zoo.

They were gifted to the animals by basketball and volleyball players based at the University of Essex.

One of the stars of the day was 24-year-old Patagonian sea lion Sydney, who showed top ball control in her pool.

The zoo said playing with the basketballs would enrich the animals’ physical and mental wellbeing, allowing them to socialise as if in the wild.

They were donated to mark a new partnership between Colchester Zoological Society and the Essex Rebels basketball side.

The two organisations are trying to boost children’s access to sport and wildlife in Essex, and zoo passholders are being offered discounted tickets to Rebels matches.

Players Tyreese Hudson, Quinesha Lockett, Tara King and Harry Aplin met Sydney and her lead keeper Lizzie Durkin during the visit.

Diana Voynova, manager of the Essex Rebels, said she was “delighted” with the link-up.

“This is an exciting step for the Essex Rebels as we build a relationship that celebrates our shared commitment to community, family experiences, and bringing people together in fun and inspiring ways,” she added.