The notoriously mischievous monkeys and lions of Longleat safari park were in for a surprise when a British army tank rolled through its grounds in Wiltshire.
Hilarious video shows the iconic Warrior armoured vehicle parked in the middle of the site, acting as a playground for the animals.
Longleat is infamous for its animals, particularly the monkeys, climbing on cars.
But a 27.5 tonne six-metre-long caterpillar tracked vehicle is the last thing you’d expect to see amid this manufactured savanna – and the animals took full advantage.
The tank belongs to soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment based in Warminster.
They were testing out the grounds ahead of a military spectacular event taking place at Longleat at the end of the month.
Longleat’s lions were not scared of the British army tank, which appeared in their backyard ahead of a military spectacle happening at the end of the month
While the lions may have tried their best, the Warrior armoured vehicle emerged without any scratches
The lions were not intimated when the 27.5 tonne caterpillar tracked vehicle entered the safari park
Lions get to know the British army tank ahead of an upcoming event at Longleat, which will host even more vehicles
The event on September, 30 and October, 1 will host a range of armoured combat vehicles, interactive demonstrations and military bands.
Event partner Lieutenant Colonel Guy Benson said: ‘To be honest, none of us were quite sure how the big cats would react when the Warrior arrived in the safari park.
‘The monkeys initially kept their distance but once they spotted the fruit, there was no stopping them.’
The lions were less timid, explained Lieutenant Colonel Benson.
He added: ‘The crew were able to literally come face-to-face with the male as he stared into Warrior’s periscope.’
Longleat’s notoriously mischievous monkeys were intimated at first but eventually made their ways onto the Warrior tank
The Warrior tank has been designed to provide protection from armour-piercing rounds, shell fragments and anti-tank mines – and monkeys
The Warrior has a three-man crew and can carry seven fully-equipped soldiers.
The Warrior tank has been designed to provide protection from armour-piercing rounds, shell fragments and anti-tank mines. It has a three-man crew and ability to carry seven fully-equipped soldiers, used by British troops in the Balkans, Iraq and throughout the Gulf War.
They are also used by the Kuwaiti Army.