Carved pumpkins, hidden vegetables and food presented in unusual ways. At London Zoo in the UK, Halloween has provided an opportunity to introduce new environmental enrichment activities for several animal species.
On Thursday, 29 October 2026, keepers prepared seasonal food presentations and Halloween-themed environments for Humboldt penguins, capybaras and western lowland gorillas.
Beyond the decorations, the activities have a specific purpose: encouraging animals to explore their surroundings, use their senses and engage in natural foraging behaviours.
Pumpkin platters for Humboldt penguins
The zoo’s Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) started the day with a fish breakfast served on platters made from carved pumpkins.
Presenting food through different objects and structures is one way keepers can introduce novelty into the animals’ daily routines.
In the wild, Humboldt penguins feed primarily on fish and other marine organisms.
Environmental enrichment for penguins can include different ways of presenting food, encouraging exploration and interaction with their surroundings.
Capybaras Kiwi and Gizmo search for Halloween treats
The zoo’s two capybaras, Kiwi and Gizmo (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), also took part in the seasonal activities.
Keepers provided carved pumpkins, carrots and leafy greens, encouraging the two rodents to use their natural foraging skills.
Capybaras are the world’s largest living rodents and spend much of their time feeding on vegetation in the wild.
Foraging is therefore an important part of their natural behavioural repertoire.
Presenting food in different locations or through unfamiliar objects can provide additional opportunities for exploration and increase the complexity of daily activities.
A pumpkin patch for western lowland gorillas
At Gorilla Kingdom, the zoo’s western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) explored a Halloween-themed area containing pumpkins, peppers and lettuce.
The troop includes Kiburi, Effie, Mjukuu, Alika, Gernot and the younger gorillas Venus and Juno.
The animals were able to investigate the objects and search for food distributed throughout the area.
In the wild, gorillas spend considerable time feeding and searching for plant material.
Activities that encourage exploration, food searching and object manipulation can therefore provide opportunities to express species-typical behaviours.
Introducing new objects and materials into an enclosure is one of the techniques used in environmental enrichment programmes to increase the variety of stimuli available to animals.
The role of environmental enrichment
Although the activities were inspired by Halloween, they form part of the broader approach to caring for animals under human care.
Environmental enrichment involves modifying habitats or introducing activities designed to encourage species-specific behaviours.
It can include distributing food in different locations, providing new scents, introducing objects for manipulation or creating opportunities for exploration.
“Halloween gives our zookeepers a great opportunity to come up with new seasonal ways to encourage our animals’ natural instincts and skills – laying down scent trails leading to tasty pumpkins, or hiding their food for foraging inside the carved creations,” said Daniel Simmonds, Animal Operations Manager at London Zoo.
The purpose is not simply to provide different food items, but to create opportunities for animals to use their natural exploratory and foraging abilities.
A year of anniversaries for the Zoological Society of London
The Halloween activities are taking place during a year of celebrations for the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the science-driven conservation organisation behind London Zoo.
In 2026, ZSL marks its 200th anniversary, having been founded in 1826.
London Zoo, which first opened to the public in 1828, is one of the world’s oldest scientific zoos and participates in conservation breeding programmes for threatened species.
The year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first publication of Winnie-the-Pooh, the character created by A. A. Milne.
To celebrate, London Zoo has introduced A Little Boy and His Bear: A Storybook Adventure Trail, a family experience running until 1 November 2026.
The seasonal events complement the zoo’s ongoing animal care, conservation and educational activities.
