Animals get into the spirit of Halloween at Bristol Zoo Gardens - 26/10/11

Submitted by lucy on Wed, 2011-10-26 11:37

Jock with a pumpkin (photo by Bob Pitchford)The animals at Bristol Zoo Gardens have been given their own carved pumpkins as a special Halloween treat.

The Zoo’s family of gorillas and meerkats and Meeko the racoon have been given carved pumpkins to eat and play with as pumpkins are a great source of vitamins for the animals, as well as being the perfect enrichment toy.

Rob Rouse, senior mammal keeper at Bristol Zoo, said: “Carved pumpkins are a great enrichment toy for the animals – the gorillas especially like to play with and eat them and the succulent flesh and plump seeds are a great addition to the animals’ regular diets as it is high in vitamins A, C, potassium, protein and fibre, and keeps them looking their best.”Meeko the racoon (by Bob Pitchford)

It’s not only the animals who can get into the spooky spirit at Bristol Zoo this autumn. The Zoo’s popular Halloween festival returns for half term this week, until Sunday, October 30, with pumpkin carving competitions, creepy costume contests and a Halloween trail around the grounds.

All this week, visitors can pick up a free scratch trail card and solve riddles to reveal unusual creatures at home in the Zoo. There will be tasty treats for those who complete it. Youngsters can also meet Walter the wizard as he wanders around casting spells.

The popular fancy dress competition takes place on Friday October 28, with prizes for the best spooky fancy dress. There will also be a pumpkin carving competition, sponsored by Bristol In Bloom. Visitors who carve or decorate a pumpkin and take it along to the Zoo on Friday October 28, can get free entry for one child with a full-paying adult.

Meerkats with a pumpkin (by Bob Pitchford)This winter Bristol Zoo will also be holding its popular Bangless Bonfire Nightson Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5. Now in its fourth year, visitors will be entertained by an enchanting display of low-noise fireworks that will light up the night sky.               

Doors open for the Zoo’s Bangless Bonfire Nights at 4pm, with the display at 5pm. Tickets are limited so advanced booking is essential. Tickets cost £5 adults, £4 children and £15 for a family. Under threes are free. Discounts are available for Zoo members and groups. To buy tickets for Bangless Bonfire Nights, visit the Zoo’s website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone 0117 974 7300.

ENDS

For more information contact Bristol Zoo Press Office:

LucyKing, T: 0117 974 7306, E: lking@bristolzoo.org.uk

Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, E: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk

Notes to the Editor:

BristolZoo Gardens

  • Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day. 
  • Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity and relies on income from visitors and supporters to continue its important work. 
  • In 2011 Bristol Zoo celebrates its 175th anniversary.
  • Over that past 175 years, the Zoo has brought six generations of Bristolians closer to wildlife, helped save over 175 species from extinction, established over 30 field conservation and research programmes   all over the world, showed 40 millionschool aged children the wonder of nature and given more than 90 million visitors a wonderful day out.
  • Throughout 2011 we’ve brought people, businesses, charities and wildlife together to share amazing experiences that raise awareness and funds to save threatened wildlife and places. To find out more, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on
  • Throughout 2011 we will be focusing our efforts on raising funds and awareness in support of gorilla conservation.
  • Throughout 2011 Bristol Zoo will support theEuropean Association of Zoos and Aquaria Ape Campaign.The campaign aims to make a significant and lasting contribution to the continued survival of apes and their habitats, and is being led by Dr Bryan Carroll, the Director of Bristol Zoo.
  • To find out more about the EAZA Ape Campaign visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/conservation-campaigns.
  • Bristol Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species. 
  • Itemploys over 150 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work. 
  • Bristol Zoo supports – through finance and skill sharing - 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
  • In 2010 Bristol Zoo Gardens set up a Conservation Fund to raise vital funds to help care for threatened animals and plants – both in the Zoo and through the conservation work we do in the UK and around the world.
  • Bristol Zoo Gardens is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.