Too gourd to waste! Sussex zoo gives Halloween decorations a second life

It’s always a sad sight to see discarded Halloween pumpkins piled up beside the bins at the beginning of November. But at Drusillas Park in East Sussex, the spooky seasonal decorations are being given a much happier ending!

 Rather than going to waste, the bright orange gourds that visitors enjoyed spotting throughout half-term are being given a fun and sustainable new purpose, providing the zoo’s animals with some vital enrichment. 

Zoo Section Leader, Jacinta Dawe, said: “We love finding ways to give things a second life, and our Halloween pumpkins have certainly been put to good use. We had over 300 of them this year, so there were plenty to go round!”

 “Many of our residents, like the capybaras and camels, are very keen on the taste of pumpkin flesh and love chomping into them. One of our camels, Roxy, had a good go at eating her pumpkin whole! While some species, for example our yellow-breasted capuchin monkeys, prefer to tear them apart and eat the seeds.”

 But the pumpkins offer much more than just a tasty snack. For many animals, their large, round shape and unique scent make them an excellent source of enrichment, with plenty of opportunities to investigate, roll and play with them:

 “It’s hilarious to watch the different ways the animals interact with the pumpkins,” Jacinta continued. “Our binturong family were initially quite cautious, but it didn’t take long for curiosity to get the better of them. Youngster Sabang was particularly enthusiastic, even going so far as to put his entire head inside the pumpkin!”

“Ash the lynx treated his like prey, pouncing on it before batting it playfully around and then taking a few bites. He quickly discovered that eating a pumpkin can be quite a messy business, prompting some urgent grooming to clean up his paws!”

 The coatis had their own fun, rolling around on top of one, while capybara gang Rupert, Squash and the aptly named Pumpkin happily shared theirs between the three of them, with a few squabbles over the juiciest bites!  

 To make the pumpkins even more tempting, keepers also tucked some of the animals’ favourite treats inside, such as sweet potato for the binturong and mice for the lynx. This encourages the animals to use their natural behaviours to work out how to reach the tasty rewards hidden within. Food-based enrichment is an important part of animal care, providing mental stimulation, encouraging problem-solving and keeping the animals active.

 Giving the pumpkins a second life also supports Drusillas’ ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing waste across the Park. The zoo is continually looking for ways to make better environmental choices, with a conservation mission to help create a world where wildlife thrives. From switching to renewable electricity and reducing single-use plastics to using responsibly sourced materials in animal habitats, the team is committed to making positive changes, one step at a time.

 Reusing Halloween decorations as animal enrichment is another simple but effective example of how everyday items can be given a new purpose, benefiting both the animals and the environment.

 “It's a lovely example of how we can combine animal welfare and enrichment with our efforts to make the Park more sustainable,” said Jacinta. “Who knew Halloween pumpkins could provide so much enjoyment long after 31 October!”