Sussex Zoo Announces 2024 Animal 'Naughty And Nice' List

A Sussex zoo has been making a Christmas list and checked it twice, and has now revealed who’s naughty and nice.

Drusillas Zoo Park lovingly cares for more than 800 animal residents, all with their own personalities and behaviours.

The keeping team love getting to know each individual animal, and this year they’ve been busy acquainting themselves with new zoo arrivals.

This includes a troop of 4 critically endangered, yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, a pair of coppery titi monkeys, and 10 new flamingos.

There are also bundles of joy the zoo has welcomed this year — such as surprise capybara twins, dwarf mongoose triplets, and Twiglet – a pygmy marmoset and the world’s smallest monkey species baby.

Head keeper, Gemma Romanis, said:

“Of course, none of our animals are actually ‘naughty’ in the way we’d use the word for humans, but some of them definitely have stronger personalities and don’t like to play by the rules.

"So for a bit of festive fun our tradition is for the team to vote on the lists – and this year there’s a new ‘naughty’ winner that might surprise everyone.”

Drusillas has now released its official animal naughty and nice list for Christmas 2024, from naughtiest to nicest – do you agree with the decisions, or should they be forgiven?

THE NAUGHTY LIST

Dunk the Humboldt penguin

It’s a red card for Dunk, named after Brighton and Hove Albion captain, Lewis Dunk, and a new entry at the top of the naughty list.

Dunk’s sweet appearance fooled everyone into thinking he was the shy and retiring type.

But he was hiding a dark secret, a mischievous habit of nibbling on the keepers’ knees!

Digit the black lemur

She only arrived at Drusillas last month, but Digit has made quite the impression already.

As ‘girl boss’ of our lemur gang, she’s quickly asserted her authority over the lemur boys.

Her bossy ways have won her a place on the naughty list – stealing her ‘boyfriend’ Shadow’s previous accolade!

Spike the cape porcupine

Normally shy, solitary creatures, Spike has turned the porcupine playbook on its head with his cheeky behaviour.

Keepers report he’s becoming a little bit too big for his boots and will resort to all kinds of naughty tactics to get his own way — including trying to bite one keeper on the bottom — Spike by name, spiky by nature!

Floyd the pygmy goat

A repeat offender, and last year’s ‘most naughty’, Floyd hasn’t been quite the menace he was in 2023 but is still giving keepers a hard time.

This headstrong boy loves to cause utter chaos with a ‘whirlwind’ manoeuvre whenever he and his goat friends are walked to their field each night, using his head and horns to take out anything (and anyone) in his path.

Smudge the Shetland pony

He may be small in stature, but Smudge has a BIG attitude and likes to make his presence felt.

He even tried to kick our head keeper Gemma this year, earning him a place on the naughty list.

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart, and the higher positions on the naughty list.

The squirrel monkeys

Squirrel monkey Mama, Plum, found herself on the naughty podium last year, but 2024 finds the whole troop on the list.

You don’t mess with this girl gang, who are always up to some kind of ‘monkey business’: throwing their food around, constantly squabbling with each other, and refusing to go to bed.

THE NICE LIST

Tank the armadillo

Perfect in every way’ according to many of his keepers, Tank was praised by almost everyone, earning him the coveted top spot of the nice list.

As well as his sweet nature, he got all the compliments for being ‘such a good boyfriend to Eddie, his girlfriend’.

This lovely comment from one keeper sums up his angelic behaviour: ‘He’s such a sweet little old man and can do no wrong.’

Ahsoka the Sulawesi Crested Black Macaque

Gentle Ahsoka joined Drusillas from Chester Zoo in 2023.

Initially shy, she has come such a long way with her confidence and has now blossomed – raising keeper hopes of a new baby in the future.

It wasn’t always easy for this reserved girl to settle into her group, but she has shown such patience and resilience.

Rosie the pygmy marmoset

She only arrived at Drusillas this year, but Pygmy Marmoset Rosie has charmed everyone with her sweet personality.

Described as ‘a joy to work with,’ she became a Mum in July, and has proved herself to be a natural at motherhood.

Baby Twiglet is thriving, and Rosie has raised them to be just as strong, confident, and amazing as she is.

Mulan the red panda

So sweet, gentle and patient, caring for Mulan is the highlight of many of the keeper’s day.

When she’s not munching on her favourite bamboo snacks, or snuggling up in her favourite snoozing spots, Mulan spends her time being generally adorable and winning everyone’s hearts.

Moteck the Sulawesi Crested Black Macaque

Another one of our Macaque troop made it onto the nice list this year.

Excellent at taking his meds and coming into training tunnel, Moteck’s interaction with keepers has come on so much in 2024.

The keepers are really proud of him and his progress.

Stasher the dwarf mongoose

In two years he’s gone from footloose and fancy-free to a Dad of nine, and keepers have been so impressed with how Stasher takes it all in his stride.

An amazing Dad, who spends most of his time caring for his children, he’s also made some real progress with his training this year too.

Coco the miniature donkey

24-years-young, this delightful donkey is much-loved by keepers because of her easy-going nature.

Her daughter Drusilla is also an older lady now, but Coco still looks after her wonderfully and is a devoted, caring Mum.

The last spot on the nice list goes to the very deserving Coco.

Located just off the A27 in Alfriston, Drusillas Park is open daily from 10am.