Zoo Boise's Claus 'N Paws means Christmas for the critters

Zoo Boise's menagerie got to join in the holiday spirit on Saturday at Claus 'N Paws, a free event filled with Christmas festivities for all.

From the largest lions to the tiniest tamarins, many of the zoo's residents received gifts in the form of food or animal-safe decorations, like holiday streamers. The animals were able to tear through wrapping paper (and, in some cases, gnaw through cardboard boxes) to retrieve their goodies.

For the humans, Claus 'N Paws meant a chance to take a photo with Santa or receive a holiday-themed face painting.

According to Zoo Boise, the event was "our way to thank our community for supporting the zoo and our wildlife conservation mission."

This story was originally published December 3, 2016 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Zoo Boise's Claus 'N Paws means Christmas for the critters."