Juicy news: Zoo celebrates watermelon day

Fresh melons provide fun and enrichment for animals big and small

Best squishes! Aug. 3 is National Watermelon Day, and the animals at the Oregon Zoo are enjoying the day in crunchy style. From elephants to orangutans, a variety of zoo residents joined in on the fun with a fresh watermelon feast.

The watermelons aren't just a tasty treat. Seasonal food items are a key part of the Oregon Zoo's renowned environmental enrichment efforts: providing stimulating and challenging environments, objects and activities to promote animal well-being.

Though all the animals that received watermelons seemed to enjoy them, the eastern black rhinoceros family is especially known for their melon-balling skills. (The zoo's most-watched TikTok video depicts rhino King squishing and eating a watermelon.)

I love that King is a smoosher and Jozi is an impaler," said Chad Harmon, who oversees the zoo's Africa area. "Two totally different techniques that work."