BERLIN (AP) — For the elephants and others at the Berlin Zoo, it's finally time to unwrap their Christmas presents.
Trees that didn't find a home this festive season were given to some of the animals on Friday in what has become an annual event. Elephants tore off branches with their trunks, lobbing them around their enclosure or eating the greenery.
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A giraffe grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Elephants graze on Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Giraffes graze on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A European Forest Reindeer grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
European Forest Reindeers graze on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A giraffe grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant feasts on Christmas tree during the feeding of the elephants with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant grazes on Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The zoo takes only fresh, unsold trees from select vendors. It doesn’t accept trees from the public, which could contain chemicals or leftover decorations.
“They don’t just serve as food, they are also used to keep the animals occupied,” said Florian Sicks, the zoo's curator for mammals.
“The animals can fight with them, they can rub themselves against them, they can throw themselves over them and do various other things with these fir trees,” he added. "And so we enrich the animals’ everyday lives, which they are very happy about.”
While the elephants eat up much of the tree, other animals take a more cautious approach.
This year, the giraffes got the belated stocking-fillers for the first time — suspended upside down at the height of their heads. Max enjoyed more than a taste of the greenery, but companion Mugambi appeared unconvinced after inspecting it.
A giraffe grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Elephants graze on Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Giraffes graze on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A European Forest Reindeer grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
European Forest Reindeers graze on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A giraffe grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant grazes on a Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant feasts on Christmas tree during the feeding of the elephants with unused Christmas trees, at the Zoo in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An elephant grazes on Christmas tree during the feeding of animals with unused Christmas trees at the Zoo, in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars opened this season with playoff hopes.
Both had creative coaches, young quarterbacks, manageable schedules and what they anticipated were promising futures.
On Sunday, the AFC South rivals will finish their seasons looking to find a meaningful message that can apply to their offseason calculations.
“We’ve got a job to do no matter what the circumstances are,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. "We’ve got to put our best foot forward and try and win a football game. Meetings, practice – you’re still playing for something, right? We’ve all got jobs to do and we’ve got to go out and perform.”
The Colts (7-9) and Jaguars (4-12) have largely underperformed this season, and nobody is sure what's next.
Indy remains hopeful quarterback Anthony Richardson returns from severe back spasms after missing last week's playoff-eliminating loss. He watched last year's season finale from the sideline after having season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, again will go with Mac Jones at quarterback since its starter, Trevor Lawrence, remains on injured reserve after having season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.
It's a different story for the team's decision makers.
Coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke have been rumored to be on their way out of Jacksonville for weeks now and many believe Sunday's game will be the final chapter — even if it's not the most pressing issue this week.
“Obviously, you’re trying to win the game, bottom line,” Pederson said. “The key is to make sure that everybody stays locked in and focused on the task at hand, right? I mean that’s the most important thing. I don’t necessarily use it as developmental for anybody.”
There have been similar murmurs in Indy regarding Steichen and longtime GM Chris Ballard after the franchise's playoff drought officially reached four seasons last week.
Most, however, expect the Colts to move on from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Jaguars' former head coach who has been under fire all season.
“I think I would worry about it if I wasn’t embarrassed,” Bradley said, referring to the loss to the New York Giants. “I’m still upset and frustrated and we’ve got to get this right. My mindset is that we have one more game and it’s not for a playoff opportunity, but it does give us a chance to get this right and at least set the tone for what it needs to look like.”
And, of course, that means one more win that isn't so meaningless.
“It’s a big thing to do in the NFL — if you can stack some good practices and games and carry that momentum wherever it may go,” said Jones, who could become a free agent in March. “You definitely want to put your best foot forward."
Jacksonville's Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are closing in on sack records. But Hines-Allen will have to wait until 2025 to get his.
Hines-Allen didn't make the trip because of a personal matter. He needs 2½ sacks to break the franchise's career mark of 55 held by Tony Brackens.
Walker, meanwhile, needs a half-sack to become the second player in team history to notch double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons, joining Calais Campbell.
“I think because of where we are as a team, it’s overshadowed,” Pederson said. “But that’s another bright spot with this team. ... There’s definitely more for them to get, and I think that’s the exciting part as you look ahead to the future.”
Despite the poor overall season, three Colts were selected to this year's Pro Bowl.
Left guard Quenton Nelson was chosen for the seventh straight year — every season of his pro career — and running back Jonathan Taylor is returning for the first time since he won the 2021 NFL rushing title. Taylor has 450 yards rushing and five TD runs over the past three weeks and ranks seventh among the league's rushers this season with 1,254 yards.
Linebacker Zaire Franklin is a first-time Pro Bowl selection. He leads the league in tackles (165) and has finished among the league's top tacklers each of previous two seasons.
Brian Thomas Jr. needs 135 yards receiving to pass Michael Clayton, Odell Beckham Jr. and Randy Moss to reach fifth among NFL rookie receivers in the Super Bowl era.
Maybe the most interesting part of the top 10: Five played at LSU. The five former Tigers are Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Beckham, Thomas and Malik Nabers.
“For a while, it was Alabama,” Pederson said. “Alabama was sending receivers to the NFL, and then now, it seems like LSU. It’s good company, and the year that (Thomas’) had, to be mentioned with those guys that came before him and are still playing at a high level, it just says something for that entire group.”
AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville also contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is brought down by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) scores his second touchdown of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson yells to his players during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (10) misses a pass in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left, and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones, right, celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes a touchdown catch against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
