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PUMPKIN PLAY AT ZOO ATLANTA

November 22, 2016

Halloween may be over, but our pumpkins are still getting plenty of play at Zoo Atlanta.

Hundreds of leftover pumpkins from Atlanta-area Home Depot stores were donated recently to the company’s hometown zoo to give the animals a tasty treat.

 “The pumpkins are totally out-of-the ordinary, enriching treats for the animals,” said Michael Anderson, director at Zoo Atlanta. “They also help stimulate the mind. While some animals just want to eat the pumpkins, others are curious: they want to play with them and figure out what they are.”

Big cat playing with pumpkin

According to experts at the zoo, enrichment activities like this help keep the animals healthy and engaged. In a zoo setting, it’s just as important to provide mentally and physically enriching activities for the animals as it is to provide nutritious, well-balanced diets.

Pigs eating pumpkins

From the looks of it, the animals certainly enjoyed their seasonal treats!