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ZOO SETS ANNUAL ANIMAL PUMPKIN POUNDING
BY: Rod HackneyOct. 27, 2008
ASHEBORO – “Smashing Pumpkins” may be the name of one of today’s top rock bands, but it’s also an apt description of what’s on the agenda for some of the animals at the North Carolina Zoo this Friday.
The zoo will continue a Halloween tradition on October 31, when elephants, chimpanzees and gorillas will get the chance to pound, pulverize and eventually partake of pumpkins in their exhibits. It’s all part of the zoo’s ongoing animal enrichment program, but should be a treat for visitors as well as the animals. In addition to real pumpkins, chimpanzees and gorillas will get paper mache pumpkins filled with treats provided by students at the Asheboro High Zoo School located on zoo grounds.
The elephants will be the opening act when they are released into their exhibit at 9 a.m., followed by the chimpanzees at 9:30 a.m. and gorillas at 10 a.m. According to zookeepers, the pumpkins provide both mental and physical stimulation for the animals, allowing them to manipulate the giant vegetables and experience their taste and smell.
The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159) six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 220 and U.S. 64. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-12 and $8 for seniors 62-and-over and college students. Operating hours through October are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor.