Tallinn Zoo invites everyone to collect pumpkins for the animals!
This autumn, Tallinn Zoo is once again inviting kindergartens, schools and communities across Estonia to take part in its annual pumpkin collection campaign. Home-grown pumpkins can be donated to the zoo’s animals from 21 September to 23 October.
“It is very important to us to provide the animals at the zoo with fresh, high-quality food. This is where generous donors can help by bringing fresh fruit and vegetables for the animals,” said Tallinn Zoo Director Kaupo Heinma.
For larger quantities of pumpkins, starting from 12 large pumpkins, a large wooden crate measuring 800 × 1200 × 1200 mm will be provided for transport. Omniva will collect the pumpkins and transport them to Tallinn Zoo free of charge. Everyone who registers for the campaign and requests transport will be contacted separately.
In addition to pumpkins, the zoo welcomes donations of apples, carrots, beetroot, swedes, potatoes, cabbages and Jerusalem artichokes. Garden produce can also be brought to the collection point at the zoo’s North Gate at Paldiski mnt 145. If you would like to donate larger quantities, please contact the zoo’s feed kitchen in advance.
“The pumpkin collection campaign has become a lovely autumn tradition. In previous years, the pumpkins collected in autumn have brought variety to the animals’ diets all the way through to spring,” Heinma added.
The end of the campaign will be celebrated with the zoo’s Pumpkin Party, which will take place together with Snow Leopard Day on 24 October.
Tips to keep in mind when growing and collecting vegetables for the zoo’s animals
Please donate only fresh, undamaged produce. Do not bring vegetables or fruit that are bruised, spoiled or already cut open.To prevent the spread of diseases, including African swine fever, all produce must have been grown in an enclosed area that cannot be accessed by wild animals.Please do not draw or write on the pumpkins. The zoo is happy to receive drawings and poems about animals and pumpkins on paper or in digital form instead.To take part in the campaign, schools, kindergartens and communities must register on the Tallinn Zoo website.
Groups from kindergartens and educational institutions that take part in the pumpkin collection and choose to bring their pumpkins to the zoo themselves can visit the zoo using a Zoo School self-guided programme and ticket. Zoo School programmes are available on the zoo’s website, where teachers can also print worksheets for their students if they wish.
Photo: Inari Leiman / Kusti the rabbit enjoys pumpkin