From elephant poo to a pumpkin bridge: Noah’s Ark harvest gets creative
By Community Correspondent
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm celebrates its biggest ever pumpkin harvest with a spectacular tribute to one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks.
Thousands of home-grown pumpkins and gourds have been transformed into a
spectacular giant mosaic of the Clifton Suspension Bridge at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm,
marking the start of this year’s Pumpkinfest.
The colourful artwork has been created using pumpkins from the Zoo’s biggest
harvest to date, with over 20,000 pumpkins and gourds grown across more than 30 varieties.
Located just a few miles from the iconic Bristol landmark, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has chosen the Clifton Suspension Bridge as the inspiration for this year’s mosaic,
bringing together pumpkins in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours to
recreate the instantly recognisable landmark.
The artwork continues the Zoo’s annual pumpkin mosaic tradition.
Last year, thousands of pumpkins were used to create a giant elephant design, celebrating the important role elephants play in the Zoo’s unusual ‘poo-to-pumpkin’ story.
The pumpkin harvest has its roots in an unexpected discovery seven years ago,
when the Zoo’s bachelor group of African elephants enjoyed pumpkins as part of
their seasonal enrichment.
The following year, pumpkins were spotted growing on the elephant muck heap, thanks to the nutrient-rich natural fertiliser.
What started as a surprise crop has since developed into an annual pumpkin-
growing tradition, with the Zoo now producing thousands of pumpkins each year.
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Larry Bush, Director of Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, said:
“Once we saw pumpkins thriving on the muck heap, we realised we were onto something special. Seven years later, it has grown into an annual highlight for our team and visitors.
“Despite the dry summer this year, our elephants’ natural fertiliser has helped us achieve our biggest harvest yet, with around 20,000 pumpkins
grown across more than 30 varieties.
“Choosing the Clifton Suspension Bridge for this year’s mosaic felt like a great way to celebrate a landmark that is so closely connected to the region. It's been fantastic to see the different colours, shapes and sizes of
pumpkins come together to create something that people will instantly
recognise.”
Pumpkinfest is underway at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm from 19th September to 1st November, with a free, family-friendly and wheelchair-accessible pumpkin patch, autumnal displays and seasonal photo opportunities.
Families can also enjoy the ‘Poo at the Zoo: Number 2’ Dung Detectives trail, learning how dung supports nature and helps the Zoo grow its pumpkins.
