Animals Will Pound Pumpkins on Halloween

This October 31, the Zoo will continue its Halloween tradition of serving ripe pumpkins to elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas. All three species enjoy the treats—both to play with and to eat.

Keepers will seed the animals' exhibits with ripe pumpkins—healthy treats that the animals can play with and enjoy. Visitors will likely enjoy the antics that the pumpkins inspire among the animals, too.

The Smashing Pumpkin event is part of an on-going animal enrichment program that the Zoo's keepers maintain for the animals. The enrichment program adds toys, treats and activities to the animals' daily lives with the intent of spiking their curiosity, engaging them in play and getting them involved with their surroundings.

This Halloween, the day's  games will not be limited to ordinary pumpkins. All of the animals will also receive some treat-filled papier-mache pumpkins that have been crafted by students associated with the Asheboro High Zoo School.

The elephants will get top billing for the day's performances. Their pumpkins will be in place when the elephants wander into their exhibit at  9 a.m.  The chimpanzees will receive their pumpkins at 9:30, the gorillas at 10 a.m.


Photo: from flicker