Somerset zoo grows more than 1,000 pumpkins from elephant and rhino dung

The organic pumpkin patch has become a great sustainable solution

Author: Radina KoutsaftiPublished 29th Sep 2021
Last updated 29th Sep 2021

Staff at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall have grown more than a thousand pumpkins out of elephant and rhino poo.

They first discovered this a few years ago, after noticing that the undigested seeds self-planted to create an unexpected organic pumpkin patch.

Since then, Noah’s Ark staff have planted and cared for a dedicated pumpkin patch which has had a bountiful harvest for the zoo’s grounds team.

Now, large squashes have been grown using a unique blend of mainly African Elephant and White Rhino dung as manure. Pumpkins range from your typical orange colour to ‘ghost’ white pumpkins.

Groundskeeper Darren Bell harvesting pumpkins

Grounds manager Michael Bradly said: "It’s fantastic to see the result of our hard work. It has been the best year yet for our annual pumpkin harvest, from 100 in 2019 to now well over 1,000 this year.

"They are particularly large this year as well, which could be due to the great pumpkin-growing weather we’ve had and the special zoo fertiliser we use.

"Pumpkins need a warm, sunny location with shelter from wind and soil that holds moisture. It’s also unique as the manure used comes from the Zoo Farm’s own animals so they are very special pumpkins."

Noah’s Ark has been pursuing a green future, with elephants producing up to 150kg of dung per day, which has become a great sustainable solution.

The crop, covering more than 100 acres of countryside, will be available to the public for picking during Pumpkin Fest (9th-13th October).

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