The Lions and Leopards are having spooktacular fun playing with pumpkins.

The Lions and Leopards are having spooktacular fun playing with pumpkins at award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

30 October 2025

The big cats couldn’t resist the hallowed vegetables and were seen rolling around with them in the lead up to the park’s planned Halloween fun.

Teddi, Emi and Santa, rescued last year from war-stricken Ukraine in Lion Rescue 2, were truly fascinated with the pumpkins.

They previously spent nine months without seeing any sunlight or having any stimulation from the outside world.

The park’s newly arrived Amur Leopard cubs, one of the rarest big cats in the world, were also just as intrigued and joined in smashing up their treats.

Dr Charlotte MacDonald, Director of Animals at YWP said: “It’s clear that the lions and leopards are in high spirits ready for Halloween!

“This is most likely the first time these animals have come across a pumpkin and it’s great seeing them enjoy their treat as much as anyone loves a pumpkin patch around Halloween."

Guests are enjoying an incredible lineup of Halloween events, including live shows, a Trick or Treat trail, freaky fairground rides and costumed characters.

Entertainment will run throughout the whole day and is included in the entry price to the park, apart from the fairground rides and the Trick or Treat trail, which is an extra £6 per child.

Shows include Victor’s Halloween Adventure, Red Riding Hood Mini Panto and Monster Boogie Live

In between shows, guests can visit some of the park’s incredible and endangered species, including amur leopards, giraffes, polar bears and black rhinos.

The Halloween extravaganza takes place from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park puts conservation at the heart of all its activities and visitors are guaranteed an unrivalled walk-through experience coming almost face-to -face with some of the world's most beautiful and rare species including Amur Tigers, Giraffes, Black Rhinos and Polar Bears.

The Yorkshire Wildlife resort boasts The Hex Wildlife Hotel and The Yorkshire Hive, a shopping, dining and entertainment village.