Keepers at West Midlands Safari Park have witnessed some mischief this week, as the Park’s spooky characters have been trying to get everyone ready to celebrate Halloween – even the animals!

Patch the pumpkin-headed scarecrow and Mitzy Monster have been busy ‘helping’ set up the Park for Spooky Spectacular, which runs from 19 Oct until 3 November.

This involves putting up decorations, letting loose some new monsters and placing hundreds of pumpkins around the walk-through areas of the Park.

However, some of the pumpkins were saved to trick the keepers and treat the animals, swapping the food buckets for treat-filled orange gourds instead!

Although this may have bamboozled the keepers at first, pumpkins are a great form of seasonal enrichment for the animals, as they offer different sights, textures and smells, encouraging them to explore and exhibit natural behaviours.

The penguins were seen snapping up some fish, served in a pumpkin bowl, the Indian rhinos enjoyed munching on some hay, sprouting out the top and the lions stalked their pumpkin prey, before lapping up the meat that was hidden inside.

Bethan Davis, PR & Events Executive, said,

“October is one of our favourite seasons at West Midlands Safari Park, as the Park is transformed into a spooky spectacle, with so much to see and do. It’s great to witness the staff and animals getting involved in the celebrations and I’m sure guests can expect pumpkins to be popping up all around the animal habitats.

“We also welcome back our spooky characters, Patch and Mitzy, who when are not up to mischief, guests can meet at selected times throughout the day, or during Patch’s new, live, spooky science show. This year we also have a brand-new craft club, where kids can make their own mini monster or help our Silly Scientists with some experiments.”

She continued,

“There are also plenty of amazing prizes up for grabs, for those taking part in our Monster Hunter Trail, photo competition and brand-new ‘Patch’s Potion Pursuit’, where guests can win an amazing prize by finding the missing potion, hidden somewhere in the Park. We hope guests have a spooktacular time!”

Patch’s Spooky Science Show will be running at various times throughout the day and guests can expect mystifying magic, electrifying experiments and lots of interactive fun.

Little explorers are being invited to embark on a thrilling quest to find the monsters lurking around the Discovery Trail and stamp them into their logbook, to be rewarded with a tasty treat.

The Experiments Emporium will host the Crazy Craft Club, where guests can meet the Silly Scientists, who will be handing out trail treats, practising their experiments and helping little witches and wizards to get crafty.

For guests who take a picture at the pumpkin photo point, they can enter their spooky snap into a competition by posting it on Instagram stories and tagging the Park, for a chance of winning a Safari Lodges stay for up to six people.

There will also be the chance to win more prizes such as a Safari Lodges stay, VIP Experience, Santa Safari tickets, food vouchers or retail products, if a guest finds the potion bottle that Patch has hidden somewhere in the Park.

Additionally, there is the option to grab tickets for the Spooky VR Ride, to encounter ghastly ghouls, petrifying pumpkins and sinister scarecrows!

Spooky Spectacular is the last chance for guests to enjoy the Adventure Theme Park rides, before they close for winter.

The event runs from 19 October – 3 November and all the activities are included in the admission charge, with the exception of the VR Ride. The best prices can be booked online in advance and children under the age of three are free.

More information is available on the Park’s website: www.wmsp.co.uk