How To Make An Elephant Happy? Find Out Tomorrow in OKC

Pumpkin season isn't just for people around here. Earlier this month, the zoo was asking for pumpkins bigger than your head in exchange for a discounted rate. And now, it's time to see why they were stocking up. Tomorrow, at the Oklahoma City Zoo, visitors will be able to see how a pumpkin can go a long way for a happier stay here in Oklahoma.

Watch OKC Zoo Animals Enjoy Pumpkins at Season Event

On Friday, October 18, the zoo will be hosting their annual "Chomp and Stomp" Enrichment Event. Starting at 9a.m. to 2p.m., visitors can watch as caretakers use pumpkins to "engage the animals’ senses, enhance their environment, and encourage natural behaviors," according to the press release.

The Chomp and Stomp event schedule goes as follows:

Photo provided by the OKC Zoo

9:15 a.m. - Tanuki (Lakeside Grottos)
10 a.m. - Dwarf Mongoose and Meerkats (Love's Pachyderm)
10:45 a.m. - Elk (Oklahoma Trails)
11:30 a.m. - Stingrays (Stingray Bay)
12:30 p.m. - Squirrel and Spider Monkeys (Children's Zoo presented by Primrose Schools)
1:15 p.m. - Galapagos Tortoises (Children's Zoo presented by Primrose Schools)
2 p.m. - Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia)

The event is free to attend and comes with the general admission ticket, so you'll get to enjoy the "Fantasy Creatures: Chompin and Stompin Adventures" without any extra cost. The best part is that guests will be allowed to ask questions about the enrichment activities, animals and everything related to making these animals happy while they're here.

Why Are They Feeding Them Pumpkins?

Photo provided by OKC Zoo

Doing an activity like this for the animals isn't just fun, it's incredibly important for their stay. Like OKC Zoo’s Behavioral Welfare Manager Kim Leser said, “Enrichment is very important for our animals and this event is an opportunity for our caretakers to creatively showcase species-specific behaviors while providing the animals with choices and, of course, tasty pumpkins to eat!”

More Family Friendly Fall Events at the OKC Zoo

Photo provided by OKC Zoo

The Chomp and Stomp event is just one of several family-friendly events happening at the zoo this fall. If you haven't heard of Haunt the Zoo, check out the details here and plan an even better trip for Saturday after the enrichment event.

Oklahoma's Top 10 Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

If you're looking for a place to go for a little fall family fun, then you're in luck! Oklahoma is home to some of the biggest and best pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the nation. People from all over travel to the Sooner State every fall to visit these incredible farms. Not only do they offer pumpkin patches along with corn and hay mazes, they also have all kinds of other activities like petting zoos, rides, arts and crafts, food, games, haunted attractions, and a whole lot more. So no matter what your idea of fall fun is, you can find it all in one place!

Gallery Credit: Jeri Anderson

Oklahoma's Top 10 Most Dangerous & Deadly Animals

Oklahoma is well known for having some of the most dangerous and deadly wild animals to be found anywhere in the United States. The Sooner State is home to several species of wild animals that could quickly and easily harm or kill you. We have it all, from poisonous snakes and spiders to carnivorous predators and everything in between. You'll want to be aware and avoid these dangerous and deadly animals if at all possible. Most aren't looking to harm or kill you but if disturbed or agitated will absolutely attack.

Gallery Credit: Don "Critter" Brown

Filed Under: Texoma Events, Texoma News

Categories: Animals, Oklahoma News