Kansas City Zoo animals turn pumpkins into squash

After a countdown, keepers at the Kansas City Zoo rolled bright orange pumpkins into the elephant exhibit.

The elephants picked them up, and within seconds the pumpkins were squashed.

Zoo-goers squealed with delight as they watched. One woman said, “Bye-bye, pumpkin.”

Sunday was the last day of the weekend’s Great Pumpkin Smash at the zoo. After celebrating Halloween with Boo at the Zoo, the zoo holds the pumpkin smash as treat for animals — and visitors.

“This is not only something that is fun for the animals, but it’s fun for the people visiting the zoo, too,” said Sean Putney, senior director of zoological operations for the Kansas City Zoo.

The zoo’s staff gives the pumpkins to the animals, allowing them to crush, kick, bounce and play.

“It gives the animals the opportunity to use some of the enrichment that we’ve used for decorations around the zoo — we also have to bring in some more,” Putney said.

The enrichment programs help the animals socially, mentally and physically.

As for the elephants, they know it’s a treat.

“They’ll come in and make pretty short work of it,” Putney said. “Truly, it is a pumpkin smash.”

Lana and Kent McCall of Olathe brought their 9-year-old twins, Mason and Jadyn McCall, and their friends Ava Matthews, 9, of Olathe and Hasan Kazmi, 9, of Lenexa.

“It was pretty cool seeing Zoe just drop it and smash it all up and then eat it,” Mason said. “She just picked it up with her trunk and pretty much ate it all.”

Hasan said it was entertaining to watch.

“When she dropped the pumpkin, it exploded and all the guts came out,” Hasan said. “I learned a lot about elephants, and I saw an elephant do some damage to something that’s really hard. I know how strong they are now.”

For 10-year-old Colby Green of Parkville, the pumpkin smash was an opportunity to see his favorite animal. His mother, Connie Green, said he’s been a fan since he was 3 years old.

“It was pretty cool — you don’t see that every day,” Colby said.

At other exhibits, the animals take more time exploring the pumpkins because keepers make jack-o-lanterns and hide treats or food inside.

Some of the animals will explore the pumpkins, Putney said: “Some of them will eat them. Some of them won’t.”

Liberty residents Sara Smith and Ryan Jones and their 2-year-old daughter, Amiyah, decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather for a family outing at the zoo.

They watched the keepers toss the pumpkins into the exhibit for the gorillas, which are Amiyah’s favorite.

“She always wants to watch gorillas, and she watches Tarzan all the time at the house, so we figured we’d come and see them in person for her,” said Jones, who added that they hadn’t realized that the Great Pumpkin Smash was taking place until after they arrived.

Amiyah was particularly interested in a baby gorilla as it explored a small pumpkin.

“This is just one of our favorite things to do,” Smith said. “After coming, she has just taken up the monkeys and the gorillas. They really just draw her attention.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2016 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Kansas City Zoo animals turn pumpkins into squash."