Teenage years can be tough, and many struggle with increasing social pressures, finding out their identity and often their first love.

One owl at Chessington Zoo is experiencing the full effects of the last of these, having fallen Hedwig over heels for another of the resort’s avian residents.

Unfortunately for Zodiac, a one-year-old great grey owl who has recently reached puberty, the object of his affections is just that – an object.

Keepers regularly walk Zodiac around the park as part of his enrichment programme, and he has become enamoured with a giant owl statue on the Gruffalo ride.

He now spends every morning with his inanimate companion, and the zoo team hopes to keep him relaxed during a stressful time in his life.

As with many animals, owl personalities often change as they mature, which could be confusing for them, but when Zodiac is with the statue, he sits and watches it, becoming much calmer.

Nick Tulley, senior zookeeper at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, said: “At the resort we like to keep all our resident animals as happy as possible – always thinking of ways to minimise any stress as their bodies go through natural developments.

“When we first took Zodiac into the new Gruffalo ride we were overwhelmed with how quickly he became besotted by the image of a much larger owl. We don't have the heart to tell him that his love maybe on the unrequited side, but it definitely keeps him happy.”

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