THE elephants at Colchester Zoo have started their Halloween preparations early.
African Elephant Tembo has been hard at work tending to his very own vibrant pumpkin patch over the past few months.
The Animal Care Team has observed him, alongside fellow elephant Zola, tucking into the large pumpkin leaves growing in their patch.
By pruning the leaves with their trunks, the unlikely gardening duo left the orange fruits healthy and ready to grow for when they could be harvested.
While unsure how Tembo’s Pumpkin Patch initially sprouted, the Animal Care Team suspect that Tembo and Zola must have dispersed the seeds from a previous activity organised by the zoo’s team.
Earlier this month, the team managed to harvest some of the ripe pumpkins ready for Halloween.
The rest were trampled by Zola, who must’ve gotten excited for Halloween and wanted to carve them early.
Colchester Zoo will have a host of “Fang-tastic” activities for children of all ages during October half term, such as a Face Painting Station and Witches’ Coven, where children can create wands and potions.
The attraction's Shriek Week will take place from October 21 to 29.
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