Trick or Treat?

It was a case of trick or treat today at ZSL London Zoo as the animals joined in with the Halloween festivities.

Preparing a feast of pumpkins for animals including tigers, dragons and meerkats, the keepers got creative with their carving to ensure it’s a happy Halloween at the Zoo.

Raja the Komodo dragon sunk his teeth into a pumpkin stuffed with food, and the Zoo’s mob of meerkats enjoyed a breakfast snack of crickets and mealworms hidden inside a Jack O’Lantern.

Raja tucks in to the seasonal treat.

Jae Jae, a four year old male Sumatran tiger, who arrived at the Zoo from America just this month, celebrated his first UK Halloween by devouring and destroying his spooky carved pumpkins.

Playful Jae Jae, the newest resident of ZSL London Zoo.

Jae Jae’s keeper, Paul Kybett said: “Jae Jae is a really inquisitive and playful tiger, and he appears to be a big fan of Halloween celebrations – especially if there are tasty treats involved!

“Giving the animals pumpkins and Halloween treats is fantastic enrichment for them; for some animals it encourages their hunting or foraging behaviours, and for others it’s simply a great new thing to investigate”.

Visitors to ZSL London Zoo this half term must not miss the brand new Amphibians exhibit , home to amazing creatures including frogs on a toilet and toads with midwifery skills.

A waxy tree frog in ZSL London Zoo's new Amphibian Wing.

Halloween visitors will also enjoy a spooky special of the ‘Animals in Action’ demonstration, watch out for the Grim Keepers going about their daily business and explore ghoulish curiosity in The Grim Curiosity Shoppe at the Boo at the Zoo events .

The Zoo's giraffes investigate hanging pumpkins with their spookily-long tongues.