CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Several animals at Brookfield Zoo received Halloween treats this week for enrichment.
According to the zoo, the African painted dogs seemed to enjoy their orange gourds that were carved and filled with meat. The mongooses dug in to their pumpkins that had squash, carrots, and meat inside. And, the zoo's western lowland gorillas in Tropic World: Africa, which just reopened to guests this week, enjoyed smashing their pumpkins open and eating the tasty filling and seeds.
Earlier in the week, the kangaroos and Rodrigues fruit bats were also treated to pumpkins.
Animals also will be receiving pumpkins during the final weekend of Brookfield Zoo's Boo! at the Zoo Halloween celebration on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and 24. Guests can see the big cats and sloth bears with their pumpkins on Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m. and the polar and brown bears at Great Bear Wilderness on Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m.
As part of the Chicago Zoological Society's Center for the Science of Animal Welfare, staff are always thinking of ways to physically and mentally stimulate the animals at Brookfield Zoo, the zoo said in a statement. One way is by providing them with enrichment items they normally do not receive on a regular basis, including pumpkins.
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
A kangaroo at Brookfield Zoo enjoys a seasonal treat—a carved out pumpkin filled with seeds and leafy greens. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
One of Brookfield Zoo's capybaras eyeing a carved out pumpkin. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Binti Jua, a western lowland gorilla at Brookfield Zoo, enjoys a seasonal treat—pumpkin filling and seeds. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
It appears Ali, one of Brookfield Zoo's western lowland gorillas, is contemplating how to break open a pumpkin. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo gave the African painted dogs carved pumpkins filled with tasty meat. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo gave the African painted dogs carved pumpkins filled with tasty meat. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Animal care staff at Brookfield Zoo gave the African painted dogs carved pumpkins filled with tasty meat. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Brookfield Zoo's mongooses were treated to a seasonal nutritious treat—carved pumpkins filled with squash, carrots, and meat. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Brookfield Zoo's mongooses were treated to a seasonal nutritious treat—carved pumpkins filled with squash, carrots, and meat. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Casper, a ball python at Brookfield Zoo, wraps around a pumpkin. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Animals at Brookfield Zoo enjoy Halloween treats
Rod, a Rodrigues fruit bat at Brookfield Zoo, reaches for pieces of fruit inside a carved pumpkin. (Jim Schulz/CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
