Watch Grizzlies, Otters and Bobcats Take on Pumpkins at Northwest Trek

A pumpkin may be a familiar fall decoration to humans, but to a grizzly bear, river otter or bobcat, it can become a snack, puzzle and surprisingly entertaining toy.

Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp returns to Parks Tacoma’s Northwest Trek Wildlife Park on Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4. Throughout the weekend, animals will receive pumpkins to investigate, roll, crush, climb over and—eventually—eat.

The pumpkins are more than seasonal props. Animal-care teams use unfamiliar foods, scents and objects as enrichment, encouraging animals to explore and interact with their surroundings in ways that can bring out natural behaviors.

Saturday’s scheduled presentations begin at 11:30 a.m. with river otter sisters Oakley and Blakely in the Forest & Wetlands area. At 1:30 p.m., visitors can watch grizzly bear brothers Hawthorne and Huckleberry tackle their pumpkins from the lower viewing deck.

Sunday’s schedule features raccoon siblings Hickory and Bluebell at 11:30 a.m., followed by bobcats Tanner and Tahoma on the Cat Loop at 1:30 p.m.

Visitors can make a full day of the trip by exploring the park’s walking paths, stopping at the Kids’ Trek playground and looking for elk, bison, moose and other animals in the Free-Roaming Area. Discovery Tram tours are included with admission and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Costumes are welcome during Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp, although Northwest Trek asks visitors to leave frightening masks and face paint at home.

The event is included with regular admission or membership. Online tickets currently cost $25 for adults, $23 for seniors 65 and older and $17 for children ages 3 through 12. Children 2 and younger are admitted free, and parking is also free.

Pumpkin Chomp & Stomp begins at 9:30 a.m. both days at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 11610 Trek Drive East in Eatonville. Visitors can see the complete animal schedule and purchase tickets through Northwest Trek.