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Christmas romances tend to be a bit hit-and-miss, with rose-tinted festive glasses making a yuletide love story feel more than it is. Except of course if it’s between two porcupines - they always get straight to the point. Covered in thousands of razor-sharp quills, there is little doubt for keepers Chris and Olly whether Mango and Fennel are hitting it off or not. To try and encourage some romance, the porcupine enclosure has been transformed into a matchmaking paradise full of alpine-scented Christmas trees – but will it work? With porcupines only mating once a year, can they encourage this spiky pair to come together at this most magical time?

Also, all Harry the lion wants for Christmas is his two front teeth, but the odds are stacked against him when the keepers realise he’s damaged one and needs to see a specialist vet – can they carry out the vital work so that he can enjoy his Christmas lunch?

Elsewhere, Hamza trains his zoom lens on the magical wintry scene around Half Mile lake, and with a plan to bring some festive cheer, Ben and Kate pay a visit to Tallulah, a Brazilian tapir who is feeling a little lonely this Christmas.