Buffalo Zoo Tigers and Bears Play With Pumpkins

The Buffalo Zoo uses pumpkins as environmental enrichment to stimulate physical and cognitive activity in its animals.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Wildlife

Screen-print poster illustration of a large pumpkin near a shallow pool in a zoo enclosure, evoking seasonal animal enrichment practices. — The Buffalo Zoo incorporates seasonal pumpkins into its enrichment programs to stimulate natural hunting and foraging behaviors in resident tigers and bears. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust that zoos provide adequate mental enrichment for their animals?

Staff at the Buffalo Zoo recently provided pumpkins to an Amur tiger and a polar bear to encourage natural behaviors. This form of environmental enrichment helps the animals stay active and prevents stress.

Why it matters

Providing novel items like pumpkins stimulates the cognitive and physical health of captive animals. This standard practice prevents boredom and mimics the problem-solving tasks these species would face in the wild.

Amur tigers share more than 95% of their DNA with domestic cats, and an adult Amur tiger typically weighs 200 kilograms. These pumpkins serve as structural obstacles or simulated prey to test the physical capabilities of the zoo residents.

The players

Buffalo Zoo

Located in New York, this facility maintains diverse species and employs environmental enrichment to ensure the physical and mental well-being of its captive population.

Pittsburgh Zoo

This institution also utilizes standardized environmental enrichment protocols similar to those practiced in Buffalo to manage animal behavior.

The details

The Amur tiger named Sungari batted and rolled its pumpkin using agile, pincer-based paw movements to mimic predatory patterns. Conversely, the polar bear named Sakari dismantled its pumpkin by crushing the object into pieces with significant jaw strength.

Staff provided the pumpkin enrichment to the animals during October 2026.

Culture Shift

This activity follows the established history of standardized zoo environmental enrichment protocols, which prioritize animal welfare through consistent behavioral stimulation. Such methods represent a broader movement in modern zoology toward creating dynamic habitats that keep animals engaged.

Visitors to the Buffalo Zoo may observe these enrichment activities as part of the facility's regular animal care routines. These practices ensure the animals remain healthy and active for the public to view throughout the year.

The takeaway

Environmental enrichment is a vital tool for maintaining the psychological health of large predators in captivity. By mimicking their natural challenges, zoos ensure these animals remain cognitively sharp and physically engaged.