Whipsnade Zoo animals forage through food-filled Halloween pumpkins
Animals at Whipsnade Zoo explored carved pumpkins filled with food as part of seasonal enrichment for Halloween. The activity gave several species a chance to forage and use their natural senses and skills.
Ring-tailed and black lemurs sniffed out sweetcorn and peppers, while Sulawesi crested macaques searched for seeds and pulses with their hands. Greater one-horned rhino Hugo investigated scented treats before eating hay and cabbage. Keepers say they use activities such as food puzzles and scent trails throughout the year to encourage natural behaviours.
In short
- Whipsnade Zoo animals explored food-filled Halloween pumpkins.
- Lemurs sniffed out sweetcorn and peppers.
- The activity encouraged natural foraging skills.
Explained simply
Zoos use enrichment activities to give animals opportunities to explore, search for food and use their senses. These can include food puzzles and scent trails, and are used throughout the year.
Whipsnade Zoo, in Bedfordshire, is home to species including ring-tailed and black lemurs, Sulawesi crested macaques and greater one-horned rhinos. Keepers provide different challenges to suit the animals’ ways of foraging, such as searching with their hands or following a scent.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Spooky snacks! Animals at UK zoo enjoy carving (eating) pumpkins for Halloween”.