It’s not every day that Henry, a 1,200-pound polar bear, comes across something heavier than himself.
But there it was—a massive 1,400-pound pumpkin—sitting in his enclosure at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat in Ontario.
At first, Henry was cautious and even defensive. But curiosity won out, and he soon dug into the sweet, crunchy flesh of the giant gourd, much to the delight of onlookers.
The pumpkin’s arrival was a happy coincidence. Amy Baxendell-Young, the habitat’s manager, explained that a staff member spotted it on a truck while driving north and called her. The truck, from Aidie Creek Gardens, was headed for compost, but the staff quickly agreed to donate it.
Henry, naturally adapted to feast on high-fat baby seals, could munch through the pumpkin without gaining an ounce. For humans, pumpkins are rich in fiber and complex carbs—but for Henry, it was a simple, tasty treat.
The Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat is the only nonprofit in the world dedicated to caring for polar bears that cannot survive in the wild. During Polar Bear Awareness Week, the sanctuary often receives gifts like this pumpkin to keep its residents happy and engaged.