A 1,700-pound pumpkin that was disqualified from competing at Port Elgin’s Pumpkinfest is getting a second chance at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. The giant pumpkin that fell short of the winner’s circle at Pumpkinfest has found a new purpose -- as an enrichment treat for a hungry polar bear in Cochrane. But Pumpkinfest’s loss is Ganuk the polar bear’s gain. The giant pumpkin was donated by Aidie Creek Gardens after a soft spot led to its disqualification from the competition. Instead of going to waste, the oversized squash is now keeping Ganuk entertained at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat. “I think it’s really cool to watch it rip apart the pumpkin and eat it and roll around on it and push it,” said Jeff Warner, owner of Aidie Creek Gardens, near Englehart. Warner has been growing giant pumpkins for 15 to 20 years. He said donating the disqualified pumpkin was a fitting way to give it one final purpose. “I would have just chopped it up into pieces in my field and let it rot, whereas this polar bear can have a great time in the habitat here and have some fun with it, too,” said Warner. Ganuk got first dibs on the giant pumpkin, while Henry, the Habitat’s other polar bear, will have his turn another day. Habitat manager Amy Baxendell said the bears enjoyed a similar treat last year, spending about a month working their way through the pumpkin. “It took quite a while to get through it all … it was a really great enrichment for them, a way that they could just feed themselves and eat throughout the day as they wished,” said Baxendell. Ganuk’s pumpkin feast has also drawn visitors eager to see the polar bear interact with the treat. An unusual sight to see Samantha Holm of Cochrane and her two-year-old daughter said the experience offered a different perspective from watching the bears swim. “To see them eat the pumpkin, it was a completely different experience. So it was really exciting to see that,” said Holm. Warner’s sister, Lyn Warner, also travelled from Ottawa to watch the spectacle. “It will be something I remember,” said Warner. Baxendell said it has been a busy year at the Habitat, with tours taking place nearly every day. She is also hoping the return of the Northlander passenger train will help attract even more tourists to the region and encourage visitors to learn about polar bears.
