All year long, the Yerevan Zoo animals are always ready to amuse and entertain children and their families. On November 15, however, over 1500 children came to the zoo to participate in the Pumpkin Day Contest, a special day for them as well as the animals. The contest entailed creating beautiful meals for animals with fruits, vegetables, and most importantly, pumpkins. The day was organized by the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), with support from its General Partner VivaCell-MTS.

Teams consisting of approximately 10 children decorated pumpkins and added their own fresh ingredients depending on the specific eating habits of their chosen animal. A photo camera, books, and a “Zoo” magazine were some of the prizes that were won by the teams. In addition, Yerevan Zoo gave away a bicycle to the winner at its interactive game station.

As part of FPWC’s environmental education program, Pumpkin Day aims to familiarize children with the animal world, how to care for them and the importance of respecting them. As formal environmental education is limited in schools, these events provide a unique space for children to better understand and enhance their knowledge about the natural world around them.