Usually of course the pace of life at Whipsnade Zoo is much more leisurely than it is when almost 600 runners are belting round the grounds running in the 10k. And once the race was over we made the most of the opportunity to admire some of the lovely creatures for whom the Zoo is home . . beginning with these 2 Peacocks . .

and these noisy Flamingoes, some of whom are nesting . .

these Otters knew that feeding time was imminent and are clearly hungry . .

the Cheetahs seemed to be made restless by the sight of the Runners passing their enclosure . .

and don't get too close because that's a sleeping Lion on the left . . and, obviously, a sleeping Siberian Tiger on the right . .

the Elephants were great, if a little distance away, and included 6 week old George . .

and the Zebras popped across to check the Runners out a couple of times . .

and who, apart from my Mum, doesn't like Meerkats?

now we come to the animals that I've forgotten the name of . .

although I know that this is a Red Panda trying not to fall out of the tree . . and I reckon it's a Giraffe in the middle . .

probably a Wallaby on the left . .

with an Ostrich and some Mallards in the first two photos . .

and I'm pretty sure this is a Train . . !!