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Brookfield Zoo animals treated to Halloween pumpkin enrichment
Halloween came early for some lucky animals at Brookfield Zoo as they enjoyed seasonal treats in the form of pumpkins, enhancing their daily enrichment routines. (credit: Lynette Kleisner/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
BROOKFIELD, Ill. - Halloween came early for some lucky animals at Brookfield Zoo as they enjoyed seasonal treats in the form of pumpkins, enhancing their daily enrichment routines.
One of the delighted recipients was Banana, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus who chomped away on her pumpkin. Joining in on the pumpkin party were two of the Zoo's orangutans, Sophia and Heidi, who smashed their pumpkins to get to the insides.
Sheba, a binturong, Fisher, a grey seal, the Galapagos tortoises, and the Rodrigues fruit bats also went to town on their pumpkins – adding a touch of Halloween spirit to their days.
Banana, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus at Brookfield Zoo, seemed to enjoy the pumpkin she received for enrichment. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Banana, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus at Brookfield Zoo, seemed to enjoy the pumpkin she received for enrichment. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Banana, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus at Brookfield Zoo, seemed to enjoy the pumpkin she received for enrichment. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Banana, a 4-year-old pygmy hippopotamus at Brookfield Zoo, seemed to enjoy the pumpkin she received for enrichment. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Sophia, an orangutan at Brookfield Zoo, takes a bite out of a pumpkin to work her way to get to the gooey pulp and seeds. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Heidi, an orangutan at Brookfield Zoo, looks inquisitively at the stringy insides of a pumpkin before eating it. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Sheba, one of Brookfield Zoo’s binturong, received a carved out pumpkin for enrichment from the animal care staff. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Fisher, a grey seal at Brookfield Zoo, played with a pumpkin he received for enrichment from the animal care staff. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Brookfield Zoo’s Galapagos tortoises, seemed to enjoy their Halloween treat that featured a carving of a capybara. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) Brookfield Zoo’s Galapagos tortoises, seemed to enjoy their Halloween treat that featured a carving of a capybara. (credit: Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo) For guests eager to witness more of these adorable moments, the final weekend of "Boo! at the Zoo" on October 21st and 22nd at 10:30 a.m. offers the opportunity.
On Saturday, Axhi, a brown bear, and Hudson, one of the Zoo's polar bears, will have their own pumpkin delights. On Sunday, the western lowland gorillas will indulge in the pumpkin festivities.
The Halloween celebration provides an array of fun activities for guests, including sweet treats, pumpkin decorating, magic shows, memorable photo opportunities, and informative Zoo Chats about various creatures that are more cute than creepy.