CROW wildlife patients enjoy pumpkin treats for Halloween
Pumpkins encourage natural behaviors as staff and students celebrate annual carving contest on Sanibel Island
Patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) were in for a Halloween treat when a “cat” jack-o’-lantern appeared in their enclosure on Friday.
Opossums, squirrels, raccoons, gopher tortoises and some Animal Ambassadors at CROW enjoyed pumpkins this week that offered opportunities to explore, investigate, and engage in natural behaviors.
The seasonal activity provided a form of enrichment, which involves introducing new objects, scents and experiences to stimulate animals mentally and physically. The opossum patients were particularly curious, spending time sniffing and exploring the pumpkins.
“Pumpkins are a fun, easy, and safe way to enrich the lives of many species,” said Bree Buysse, a Wildlife Rehabilitator at CROW. “They give squirrels and raccoons simple foraging chances, and they’re a tasty snack for gopher tortoises. Raccoons and opossums especially enjoy exploring the pumpkin’s inner texture, which offers great tactile enrichment.”
The pumpkins were part of CROW’s annual internal pumpkin carving contest, a tradition started in 2021 by Hospital Practice Manager Becca Brooks.
This year’s competition featured six pumpkins carved by staff and students, showcasing designs that included a sea turtle, cat, the Sanibel Lighthouse, an otter and Mina, CROW’s great horned owl Animal Ambassador. Staff voting is underway.
“I started the pumpkin carving contest as a way to bring a little Halloween spirit to the hospital and find a fun way to include our wildlife patients in the festivities,” Brooks said.