Fall is an exciting time of year. The leaves change color and the temperature begins to drop. At the zoo, this change in temperature often means that animals become more active. They no longer sleep away the heat of the day. Although, don’t get me wrong, they still find time for their mid-day naps.
Fall is also the time when zoos across the country, including the Akron Zoo, decorate and prepare for Halloween events. This isn’t just for guests; the animals get in on the fun too! Photos and videos of zoo and aquarium animals with pumpkins show up everywhere! You may be thinking that these are cute or funny videos, and that giving pumpkins to the animals is a great way to “recycle” these festive gourds, and you would be correct. But, it is also so much more!
Pumpkins provide wonderful, enriching opportunities where animals can engage in a variety of species-specific behaviors. For animals like our Galapagos tortoises and capybara, a pumpkin is a bright and tasty treat that they don’t get very often. For our snow leopards, lions and red pandas, pumpkins are a wobbly and textured toy to bat around the habitat. Natural behaviors such as pouncing, jumping, and rolling are all regularly observed in the presence of pumpkins! While no pumpkin is a match for a grizzly bear, they still enjoy rolling, squishing, and digging out the insides of the pumpkins. Of course, they’ll eat some, too.
Pumpkins are just one seasonal example of the comprehensive enrichment program that is developed for the animals at the Akron Zoo. Our animal care staff spend time learning about the natural behaviors of each of our more than 250 species, then coming up with ways to encourage each animal to express those behaviors. Natural behaviors include everything from being awake and active to resting and sleeping, and everything in between.
Not only do these behaviors vary between groups of animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, etc.) but behaviors also vary between animals of the same species! Younger animals may engage in different behaviors than older animals, or the frequency of a certain behavior might differ across ages. By providing enriching opportunities where animals can engage in all of their natural behaviors, we are ensuring that the animals experience excellent welfare. Pumpkins are a great example of an enriching opportunity for animals because you, our guest, are able to watch the interaction and observe those natural behaviors in action.
The Akron Zoo is one of only 238 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the accrediting body for zoos and aquariums. The AZA sets the highest standards for animal care, welfare and professional operations of a zoo or aquarium. Enrichment is just one of the many ways we reach this goal. On November 3rd, the Akron Zoo’s levy is on the ballot. With your help to pass, we will continue to provide outstanding care for the more than 1,000 animals in our care, as well as engaging educational programs and exciting habitats for upwards of 400,000 visitors each year.
Thank you for supporting our animals and have a happy Halloween! For more photos of pumpkin enrichment, you can visit our gallery. We hope our enrichment struck a “gourd” with you, and that you will visit us in person soon!