A Giant Pumpkin Is the Perfect Treat for a Polar Bear

Deep in the rural land of Northern Ontario, you’ll find a very special place. With 24 acres of undisturbed land, the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the only polar-bear-only sanctuary in the world. It’s home to two energetic, albeit slightly quirky, polar bears. They live comfortably with handlers who care deeply for them. Ganuk and Henry, the two adult polar bears, enjoy snow, rubber balls, and, of course, food.

While Ganuk is known as the Habitat’s “gentle giant,” Henry is more energetic. He’s fond of all the treats that keep him going, but this year, he got the surprise of a lifetime: A pumpkin nearly the same size as him.

Henry’s Rescue Story

Henry gained fame as the first Australia-born polar bear in nearly 30 years and became well-known as he grew. Sadly, by the age of two, his mother began to separate from him. That same year, he was moved from Australia to Cochrane, Ontario. His beloved Aussie fans continued to follow his journey after a three-day trip across the ocean. Today, he calls the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat his home and seems to be enjoying life in his spacious new environment.

Henry enjoys many types of meat. His favorites include moose, seal, and seal oil, the latter of which is his most preferred treat. By 2016, he had become fast friends with Ganuk, his fellow polar bear at the Habitat. According to the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, he’s a toy hoarder and also enjoys bursting through the ice that often forms on the top of the enclosure’s pools and lakes. He’s enormous and healthy, weighing 1,200 pounds at his heaviest.

Henry Never Met a Pumpkin He Didn’t Like

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat’s bears are a big hit with the locals, as well. One local, known as Farmer Jeff Warner, recently surprised Henry with one of the best treats of all time. After a staff member spotted the giant pumpkin on the side of the road, a single phone call was all it took to get it to the Habitat. The abnormally large pumpkin weighing 1,481 pounds was given as a gift to the polar bears, and, much to Henry’s delight, found its way into his hands.

The pictures that followed showed Henry absolutely thriving with the newest addition to his sanctuary. According to the organization’s manager, Amy Baxendell-Young, Henry was initially defensive. He played with the pumpkin after warming up to it, batting it as if it were a toy. As with many bears, his curiosity eventually got the best of him. After sinking his teeth in, he quickly discovered that it was, indeed, one giant treat to be eaten.

No tool is off-limits when it comes to devouring a pumpkin that weighs more than you do. For Henry, this included his huge paws and teeth as he gnawed into the flesh of the pumpkin. While he did some damage, there was plenty to go around. Judging by the photos of the aftermath, Henry definitely had the time of his life. Based on what little was left of the pumpkin’s exterior, it’s safe to say his stomach enjoyed it, too.

Are Pumpkins Good for Polar Bears?

When you think of a polar bear, pumpkins aren’t typically the first food that comes to mind. As apex predators, they have a more carnivorous diet. Pumpkins don’t offer much nutritional value to bears, but they do provide other benefits. While the flesh of the vegetable offers empty calories, the pumpkin itself provides plenty of enrichment and exercise.

Given as an occasional treat, pumpkins become a great source of entertainment for bears. If Henry is any indication, a great pumpkin like this can quickly become a favorite toy. Cracking it open is a challenge, and its strong scent is naturally attractive. Chewing and batting at the pumpkin provides a unique sensory experience that sparks a polar bear’s curiosity. Some, like Henry, may even enjoy the flavor of pumpkin, despite its low nutritional value.