Animals at the Hogle Zoo pounced, punted and pulverized leftover Halloween pumpkins at the annual Stomp and Chomp activity Saturday, Nov. 1.

"It's a different enrichment for our animals," said Stacey Phillips, public relations specialist for Utah's Hogle Zoo. "It's fun to watch the animals play and eat the Halloween leftovers."

The pumpkin activity helps the zoo animals bring out their natural hunting skills. Food is hidden in the pumpkins, and then the animals hunt for the food. Once the animals find the food, they usually destroy or eat the pumpkins. Having animals play with pumpkins is viewed as a way to promote natural feeding behaviors.

Phillips said they stuff pumpkins with meat for the wolves and felines.

"The camels have received pumpkins, but have not been interested in them," she said.

Elephants, hippos, gorillas and orangutans have participated in previous years.

The Hogle Zoo use to accept leftover pumpkins from the public to fuel its annual Stomp and Chomp activity, but because of hazardous contents, they no longer accept pumpkins from the public, Phillips said.

This year all pumpkins have been donated from Dan's Food stores.

Attendance at Stomp and Chomp varies each year, depending on weather conditions.

"We've had as high as nearly 3,000 people and as few as 500," Phillips said.

Barbie Wilson, Senior Zoo keeper for the Detroit Zoo stated in Environmental & Behavioral Enrichment, said one of the animals' favorite enrichment activities was giving animals toys such as boomer balls, plastic barrels, tires, tubs, brushes and logs.

Several zoos use toys to bring out their natural hunting skills, which are essential for the animals' survival.

"Enrichment activity involves food and feeding ... to promote natural feeding behaviors," Wilson said

Although enrichment is not always interesting for animals - according to Wilson it is a great way to train animals.

Wilson said pumpkins are an example of novel foods that the animals love to eat or at least play with.

Although enrichment is not always interesting for animals, it is still a great way to train animals, Wilson said.

Other zoos that participate in similar pumpkin pounding are the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, Del., North Carolina Zoological Park and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio.



Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Nov 2003