At Tallinn Zoo, the elephants got first pick of four tonnes of donated pumpkins

Tallinn Zoo's autumn vegetable appeal ended the way its animals would have wished: with a feast. More than four tonnes of donated vegetables arrived from the public, and young elephant Carl led the diners — reaching for apples first and showing unusual indifference to his usual favourite, hay. Communications specialist Anita Tamm explains the zoo's pumpkin economics: elephants eat the largest share, about 600 kilograms a year; the smallest portion, just 120 grams, goes to a pygmy marmoset. Rhinos, primates, reptiles and hoofed animals all join the pumpkin list. Only the predators abstain — cats, the zoo notes, have standards.