At 08:30 on Thursday, 14 November, the three sun bears at Royal Burgers' Zoo encountered a giant edible addition to their outdoor enclosure. With their long, strong claws and dexterous tongues, the omnivores quickly broke open the 791-kg giant white pumpkin and feasted on its flesh.
Gerjan Puttenstein from Wezep grew the gigantic pumpkin, which was displayed at Brasserie Staverden's outdoor terrace for several weeks. As the giant pumpkin neared its best-before date, Ingrid Kok, owner of Brasserie Staverden, offered it to Burgers' Zoo's three sun bears as tasty behavioural enrichment.
The sun bears’ diet normally consists of insects, worms, fruits, honey and small animals. The smallest of the bear species, the sun bear is the same size and colour as a large rottweiler. They are excellent diggers and agile climbers and can exert surprising amounts of force with their sharp claws. Their long nails serve as handy scoops for the pumpkin flesh.
“We first contacted Burgers' Zoo four years ago,” says Kok. “We thought it was a shame to throw away the impressive giant pumpkin, which Gerjan Puttenstein grew with great care and dedication and with which dozens of visitors to Brasserie Staverden have had their picture taken. In consultation with the Arnhem zoo, we arrived at this creative solution which provides a great experience for the animals. We usually offer the giant pumpkin to a different species each year.”
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