Animals get into the spirit with Halloween enrichment

A number of UK zoos are providing Halloween treats for their animals so they can join in with the spooky festivities.

Edinburgh Zoo’s brown capuchins were treated to pumpkins, paper mache balloons and ice lollies, all of which were hung from trees in the outdoor enclosure.

According to keepers, the Halloween enrichment will provide the capuchins with both mental and physical stimulation, as well as allowing visitors to see them display natural behaviours normally seen in the wild.

Sophie Pearson, team leader for Living Links and the Bundongo Trail, said: “Capuchins are very intelligent and inquisitive, with their own individual personalities, and it is great fun waiting to see how they will interact with the various activities or treats they receive.”

Keepers at London Zoo have also been busy with their creative carving to ensure it is a happy Halloween for their animals, including the penguins, lions, monkeys and giraffes.

The zoo's penguins had to delve into puzzling pumpkins to fetch fishy snacks and Lucifer the Asian lion sank his teeth into his very own Jack O’lantern filled with meaty treats.

Lion keeper Teague Stubbington said: “Lucifer’s name might suggest he’s a bit devilish, but in fact he’s like a playful kitten when he has something new in his enclosure.

“Giving our animals Halloween treats is fantastic enrichment for them; it encourages their natural hunting or foraging behaviours, and provides something new for them to investigate.”

Visitors to London Zoo can also get involved in the Halloween activities by listening to some Spooky Stories before putting their senses to the test in "Who’s afraid of the dark?".

Meanwhile, keepers at Whipsnade Zoo have celebrated Halloween by dishing up pumpkin platters for their animals.

Meerkats Paul, George and Ringo enjoyed a breakfast of crickets hidden inside Jack O’Lanterns, while the zoo’s oriental small-clawed otters will be tucking into fish-filled pumpkins as they join in with the celebrations.

Other animals at the Zoo, including the chimpanzees and ring-tailed lemurs, will be given a range or spooky snacks to form part of their regular enrichment programme.

Image courtesy of ZSL London Zoo