By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Animals at Whipsnade Zoo got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats.
A greater one-horned rhino, ring-tailed and black lemurs and Sulawesi crested macaques were given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment.
Ring-tailed lemurs Delilah and Diego, alongside black lemurs Camila and Kahagi, used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul.
The zoo's mischievous macaques also got stuck in, using their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses.
Meanwhile, greater one-horned rhino Hugo appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage.
Keepers regularly use food puzzles, scent trails and other activities to encourage the animals to use their natural instincts.
Camilla, a female Black Lemur, explores a Halloween pumpkin for tasty treats at Whipsnade Zoo, in Dunstable
She got into the Halloween spirit by tucking into a feast of spooky pumpkins and seasonal treats
Ring Tailed Lemurs Delilah (left) and Diego (right) used their noses to sniff out sweetcorn and peppers hidden among the Halloween haul
Fulawesi Crested Macaques used their dextrous hands to rummage through the pumpkins in search of seeds and pulses
Cahagi, a male Black Lemur, was given carved squashes packed with food as part of their enrichment
Hugo, a Greater One Horned Rhino, appeared unfazed by the spooky set-up as he snuffled around the scented treats before tucking into a mammoth breakfast of hay and cabbage
Matthew Webb, Head of Zoological Operations at Whipsnade Zoo, said: 'Our zookeepers spend the whole year coming up with inventive new ways to encourage our animals' instincts, including following scent trails and foraging to find food.
'As everyone counts down to Halloween, our zookeepers used seasonal squashes to make sure the animals don't miss out on any of the fun - and put their incredible natural skills to the test!'