What does an 18-year-old lioness want for her birthday?

At Perth Zoo, the wish-list includes meat-smeared decorations and papier mache balloons, along with some extra special attention from zoo keepers.

It's all part of celebrations for the milestone birthday of the elderly lioness Shinyanga.

"[The treats] are for both mental and physical stimulation and this idea of keeping them happy and healthy in both body and mind," zoo keeper Emma de Mamiel said.

Perth Zoo says the treats are for both mental and physical stimulation. ( Perth Zoo: Alex Asbury )

Shinyanga was born in Dubbo in New South Wales in August 1999, and came to Perth in 2012.

She's the only lion left at the zoo after the death of her male companion Mandela during surgery last year.

Mandela's brother Nelson also died from pneumonia a few months earlier.

"Now that the two boys have passed away she's doing quite well, she was quite used to living by herself [before arriving at Perth Zoo]," Ms de Mamiel said.

"She's taken on a very independent role, she can be quite a diva."

Sumatran tiger Jaya enjoys one of her birthday presents. ( Perth Zoo: Alex Asbury )

The zoo is also celebrating the ninth birthday of Jaya the Sumatran tiger, who was born at the zoo in 2008.

"There are fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild so any tiger birthday is really quite incredible," Ms de Mamiel said.

The zoo is hoping the birthday celebrations will bring a renewed focus to its conservation efforts for the animals in the wild, including raising funds for anti-poaching patrols in Sumatra.

A new pride of lions will be introduced to the zoo when the African Lion exhibit opens next year.