Squishin' Accomplished: Elephants smash giant pumpkins

Asian elephant family takes part in the Oregon Zoo's annual Squishing of the Squash

Some of the world's largest land animals demolished some of the area's largest pumpkins this morning during the Oregon Zoo's 26th annual Squishing of the Squash.

"We gave our elephant family some extra-large pumpkins to stomp on and chomp on," said Steve Lefave, who oversees the zoo's Asian elephant area. "First they destroyed them, then they enjoyed them."

The tradition dates back to 1999, when Hoffman's Dairy Garden of Canby dropped off a prize-winning 828-pound pumpkin for the elephant family. Farmers often offered their overstock pumpkins for use in the zoo's groundbreaking animal enrichment efforts - enhancing animals' well-being with stimulating and challenging environments, objects and activities.

This year's pumpkins - including an 809-pounder - were provided by Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers Club member Larry Nelson and his daughter, Amanda Gilmour.

The event is a lead-in to the zoo's annual Howloween celebration, which takes place later this month. Kids can show off their costumes and learn about wildlife in a fun and safe setting, Oct. 19­-20 and 26-27.

Considered highly endangered in their range countries, Asian elephants are threatened by habitat loss, conflict with humans and disease. It's estimated that just 40,000 to 50,000 of them remain in fragmented populations from India to Borneo, and their home range overlaps with some of the most populous human areas on the planet - 20% of people worldwide live in or next to Asian elephant habitat.

The Oregon Zoo is recognized worldwide for its elephant care program, which has spanned more than 60 years. The zoo supports a broad range of efforts to help wild elephants and has established a $1 million endowment fund supporting Asian elephant conservation.