On October 30 and 31, some of your favorite Zoo animals will discover that the Great Pumpkin has paid a visit to their habitats! Some animals will eat the pumpkins, while some animals might just knock them around. Either way, it’s a lot of fun to watch and a great experience for the animals! Introducing new items such as pumpkins into animals’ habitats is a great form of enrichment, in which animals are presented with different stimuli that encourage the animals to explore their surroundings, manipulate objects and engage in naturalistic behaviors. Enrichment is a key component to the Zoo’s commitment to excellence in animal care. (The fact that it’s a lot of fun for visitors is a bonus!)

Check back here for a schedule of animal pumpkin encounters!