Zoo Animals, Crowds Have a Smashing Good Time

Wild temperatures in the upper 70s brought herds of visitors to the Detroit Zoo today hoping to see smashing pumpkins - not the alternative rock band, but rather animals ripping apart treat-filled pumpkins.

"It had to be the biggest crowd we’ve had for a Smashing Pumpkins enrichment event," said Patricia Janeway, communications director. "There were probably upwards of 100 people at each habitat at any given time. And, the gorgeous weather certainly helped."

Snow monkeys, rhinos and zebras were just some of the animals to receive pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks to play with, roll around in, tear apart and smash.

It's all part of the Zoo’s environmental enrichment, which introduces novel or unpredictable elements such as objects, sounds, or scents that give the animals the opportunity to express choice and control in their environments and to make decisions, express individuality and behave in species-typical ways.

Becky Forma, of Redford, had a great time watching the chimps play with and eat their pumpkins. She admitted the weather was a treat, too.

"This may be one the the last nice days of the year," Forma said.