Zoo Animals Celebrate Halloween, Too

While kids in costumes get all the candy, that doesn’t mean zoo animals can’t get into the Halloween spirit, too.

The critters at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo proved that point Friday during the annual Pumpkin Toss. During the four-hour progressive “dinner” the zoo’s animals are given a number of seasonal treats to “stomp, chomp and savor,” explained spokeswoman Rachel Nelson.

And, stomp, chomp and savor they did.

One of the zoo’s Malaysian tigers carried his pumpkin around while an African penguin opted to use it as a perch. An orangutan thought its pumpkin was perfect for snuggling.

The Pumpkin Toss is part of the zoo’s enrichment programs that are designed to provide the animals with physical and mental activity while stimulating the senses.

“Whether the animals make a meal or a mess, enrichments introduce variety into the environment and provide rewards,” Nelson said.

To find out more about the 1101 W. Sligh Ave. zoo, check out its website.

Photo Credit: All photos taken by Dave Parkinson, zoo docent.