Winnipeg zoo celebrates Thanksgiving, animals get pumpkin treats

Assiniboine Park Zoo is celebratingThanksgiving weekwith somespecial pumpkin treats for its animals.

From bisons andlions tomonkeys andbadgers even cockroaches the zoo's creatures are relishing their squash.And the public is invited to watch theanimals discover, play with, eat and otherwise destroy their pumpkins.

Apumpkinpresentation schedule for the animals can be found on the zoo's website.

Zoo visitors will get 25 per cent off admission Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

"We are very grateful for this last year and we really want to wish our supporters and the community a special Thanksgiving," Brian Joseph, director of animal management and conservation said in a news release.

"This will be a wonderful event for all ages and it's a great time of year to see the animals."

Weekend activities:

• Face painting, horse shoes and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (event tent).
• Take a photo with Winston the polar bear mascot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (zoo entrance).

As well,Hudson the polar bear is turningfour so on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, visitors can watch him get a daily birthday treat. The first 100 kids to the zoo will also get a free ice cream treat to celebrate.

In lieu of birthday gifts, Assiniboine Park Zoo is inviting people to support Winnipeg Harvest and donate non-perishable food items at the zoo entrance gate.

The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.