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The Express Gazette
Thursday, October 22, 2026

Whipsnade Zoo Animals Celebrate Halloween with Pumpkin Treats

Rhinos, lemurs, and macaques at a UK zoo received carved pumpkins filled with food as part of their enrichment activities.

World • 2 hours ago
Whipsnade Zoo Animals Celebrate Halloween with Pumpkin Treats

Animals at Whipsnade Zoo in the United Kingdom embraced the Halloween spirit by enjoying specially prepared pumpkins and seasonal treats. The zoo's zookeepers provided carved squashes filled with food as an enrichment activity for several species.

Ring-tailed lemurs, named Delilah and Diego, and black lemurs Camila and Kahagi, used their sense of smell to find sweetcorn and peppers hidden within the pumpkins. Sulawesi crested macaques demonstrated their dexterity by searching the gourds for seeds and pulses. Fulawesi Crested Macaques used their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses

Hugo, a greater one-horned rhino, calmly investigated the pumpkin setup before eating a meal of hay and cabbage. Hugo, a Greater One Horned Rhino, appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage Cahagi, a male Black Lemur, was given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment Ring Tailed Lemurs Delilah (left) and Diego (right) used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul She got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats

According to Matthew Webb, Head of Zoological Operations at Whipsnade Zoo, zookeepers regularly develop creative methods to stimulate the animals' natural behaviors. These methods include using scent trails and foraging activities. Webb noted that by utilizing seasonal squashes, keepers ensured the animals could participate in the Halloween festivities while engaging their natural skills.


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