BAY LAKE, Fla. – It’s National Pumpkin Day, and at Walt Disney World Resort’s Animal Nutrition Center, the “chefs” are whipping up a wholesome treat for a group of giant Galapagos tortoises at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The tortoises, who have spooktacular names including Phantom, Dracula, Mummy, Frankenstein, Wolfman, and Creature, are often referred to as the “monsters” of Discovery Island.
These herbivorous giants have a love for a diverse menu of plants and fruits, but animal care experts say their eyes light up when they’re presented with pumpkins, which are carved by keepers and the Animal Nutrition team.
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Disney’s animal nutritionists take on the role of personal chefs, preparing custom diets daily for over 5,000 birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish across Walt Disney World. This culinary dedication is part of the resort’s comprehensive animal wellness program, ensuring top-notch nutrition for the creatures in their care.
The teams handle roughly more than 10,000 pounds of high-quality food each day.
In the true Halloween spirit, the Animal Nutrition team has distributed over 200 pumpkins across Walt Disney World to ensure a wide range of species partake in the fall fun. Believe it or not, Disney’s animal care teams said pumpkins offer an assortment of nutritional benefits, boasting vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin C to bolster immune systems.
Disney teams said the fiber content also promotes good digestive health.
While not every animal may indulge in these pumpkins, they are put to creative use. Some keepers add them to animal habitats as decorations, while other animals might engage in playful activities or engage their natural instincts by smashing them. This concept is integral to Disney’s enrichment program, encouraging animals to exhibit their natural behaviors in a stimulating environment.
“Pumpkins are one of those things that we can add into our animal’s diet to make things fun. It’s not something they’re going to get normally, it’s a very seasonal item - like it is for the rest of us,” said Shannon Livingston, animal nutritionist with Disney’s animal, science and environment.
Guests at Walt Disney World this week should be on the lookout for animals enjoying their pumpkins throughout the resort.
From Disney’s Animal Kingdom to The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, and even at resorts like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
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