Halloween fun at Hellabrunn Zoo with carved pumpkins and spooktacular treats

Animals at Hellabrunn Zoo are getting into the Halloween spirt by enjoying a selection of spooky treats. Every year at the end of October, the zookeepers prepare carved out pumpkins for their charges and fill them with vegetarian or meaty surprises. 

This year, the four meerkats, the porcupine family, the new wolf group, the elephants and all the animals in the South America enclosure were treated to delicious, seasonal goodies. Animal enrichment with small challenges in the form of puzzle feeders is one of the key aspects of animal care at the zoo. Enrichment programmes promote a varied daily routine. Every Halloween, visitors can observe how each species has its own way of approaching and exploring the pumpkins loving prepared by the zookeepers.

The masters at finding the hidden treats turned out to be the meerkats. All four immediately pounced on the orange pumpkin and discovered the mealworms inside in no time. The excitement of the cute animals quickly led to skilful acrobatics, with one of the meerkats tumbling off a rock and across the enclosure together with the pumpkin. Harmless adventure for the animals - great fun for the visitors watching.

The porcupines’ initial reaction was to cautiously approach their surprise. In addition to the two pumpkins, there was a large buffet with plenty of vegetables and pretzels. But while they were still trying to figure out what it was all about, the local crows were much quicker and nibbled at the rodent-friendly treats - even the porcupines’ raised spines could not deter this. After a little sampling, the hesitant wait led to a delicious snack.

The lively wolves were, at first, somewhat uneasy about the three pumpkins placed in their enclosure. Although rubbed with an enticing aroma and filled with a few treats, the wolves kept their distance. In fact, they found the zookeepers' tracks much more interesting, so much so that the young wolves were still sneaking around the pumpkins a few hours after they were served up! Apparently the Hellabrunn 'Isegrimms' are not Halloween fans.

In the South America enclosure, the sight of the spooky treats sparked a great deal of curiosity. All the animals came together and immediately began chewing and inspecting the seasonal delicacies. The capybaras, maras and rheas tucked into the pumpkins – eating quite audibly. At the end of the communal feast, only a few colourful pieces remained on the ground for the vicuñas to nibble on. There was one resident, however, who decided to skip this rather delicious treat: the female anteater choose instead to stay in her cosy indoor enclosure.

Did someone say pumpkin? Hellabrunn’s elephants wasted no time in rushing towards the Halloween treats placed in their enclosure. Temi immediately bit down on a pumpkin, while young Otto had fun trampling his pumpkin and then scattering the pieces with his foot and trunk around the enclosure and between his aunts and mum. Enjoy your meal!

NB: Although trick-or-treating is a traditional part of Halloween, we kindly remind visitors that only the zookeepers are allowed to feed the animals at Hellabrunn Zoo. It is strictly forbidden for zoo guests to throw any type of 'treats' into the enclosures, as any food items outside of the animals’ planned diet could pose a serious health risk.