Fall fun in full swing at the Buffalo Zoo
There’s something magical about fall at the Buffalo Zoo — crisp air, bursts of color, cozy vibes, and yes, pumpkins galore! It’s not just a favorite season for our guests — our animals and keepers get in on the autumn excitement, too!
Whether it’s the colorful leaves, cool temperatures or various October events, there’s plenty to enjoy and see at the Zoo this time of year.
Fall also marks the arrival of a seasonal enrichment item that’s loved by countless animals and keepers alike: pumpkins!
Every year, as the leaves turn and the sweaters come out, the Buffalo Zoo rolls in about 100 pumpkins — some homegrown and some generously donated by our friends at The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence. These gourds aren’t just for décor — they’re an autumn enrichment sensation!
For our Zookeepers, pumpkin season is a chance to unleash their inner Halloween artist — carving, stacking, and creatively crafting new ways to keep the animals engaged. For the animals, it’s all about exploring, foraging, and playing just like they would in the wild. Pumpkins are one of the more versatile enrichment items that zookeepers can utilize with animals, whether it be for fun enrichment or feeding.
Gorillas snack on pumpkin as part of their seasonal menu — a tasty twist that keeps their diet fresh and fun. It’s a different, unique item to snack on outside of their typical diet of lettuce and other greens.
For lions and tigers, the weight and texture of a pumpkin can mimic a prey item. This often leads to them pouncing on the pumpkin and playing with it, providing enjoyment for the animals and visitors, too. Over in the Amphibian & Reptile Center, keepers use jack-o’-lanterns as puzzle feeder enrichment for animals like snakes, as they slither through the crevices to find their food.
And of course, nothing quite beats the satisfaction of watching one of our rhinos squash a pumpkin like it’s nothing! (Trust us, the demolition is something to see!)
In all enrichment, keepers are seeking to give animals an experience that mimics their natural behaviors. So with such a versatile and seasonal item like pumpkins, it allows not only animals to have a unique, enjoyable experience, but also gives our Zookeepers a chance to shine with plenty of Halloween and fall creativity!
While pumpkin enrichment is certainly a common highlight during an October Buffalo Zoo visit, the Halloween and fall fun doesn’t stop there!
Brew at the Zoo: Country Night presented by USI Insurance Services
Coming up this week on Friday, Oct. 17 is Brew at the Zoo: Country Night presented by USI Insurance Services! Saddle up for a night full of adult-only fun, featuring free tastings from local breweries, live music from Uncle Ben’s Remedy and line dancing! Don’t forget to try your luck on our mechanical bull, too.
You can tickets for Brew at the Zoo: Country Night here.
Boo at the Zoo
The following day on Saturday, Oct. 18 and also on Oct. 25, we celebrate Halloween with our family-friendly Boo at the Zoo event! Children can enjoy a trick-or-treat trailer around the Zoo while showing off their costumes to their favorite animal friends.
You can tickets for Boo at the Zoo here.
Howlerween
On Monday, Oct. 27, the Buffalo Zoo celebrates “Howlerween”! This annual celebration during regular Zoo hours highlights not only spooky season, but the birthday of one of our howler monkeys, Lily! Be sure to visit and explore M&T Bank Rainforest Falls to check out all the special enrichment and decorations — and be sure to wish Lily a happy birthday while you are there do!
So, grab your favorite scarf, sip your cider, and come see what all the gourd-geous buzz is about. From pumpkin-smashing rhinos to prowling big cats and plenty of spooktacular events, fall is one of the wildest times to visit the Buffalo Zoo!
