FRESH HAUNTS AT AN OLD FAVORITE: New Thrills at this year’s Boo at the L.A. Zoo
Cocktails with the Curator
October 1, 2018
Zoo Update with Connie Morgan
October 1, 2018
Bring your mob to Boo at the L.A. Zoo! Photo by Jamie Pham
Halloween is creeping up on us and, if you are looking for some “super natural” family fun, you’ll find it at the Los Angeles Zoo. Every day in October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can meander through a new “Spooky Stroll” experience in Eucalyptus Grove, where you’ll encounter a haunted seesaw, a giant snake made of pumpkins, and boo-tiful photo ops. Try your hand at some groovy graveyard games such as Halloween creature twist-and-switch, jack-o-lantern beanbag toss, and pumpkin tic-tac-toe.
Hip, Hip, Hooray for Herpetology
October 21 is Reptile Awareness Day and, starting this year, we’re celebrating at the Zoo all month long! “Reptiles have long inspired myths and legends,” comments Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians Ian Recchio. “This is an opportunity to discover how much more amazing they are are in reality.” The L.A. Zoo is in the vanguard of herpetology and, in addition to special highlights at the LAIR, you can join in the festivities with an alligator craft and reptile-focused education stations on weekends. A special new Halloween edition of the World of Birds Show (12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day but Tuesday) will highlight some of nature’s most mysterious and misunderstood birds—owls and vultures.
Encore Performances
Along with the new, some old favorites will be returning this year. The Mad Science “Spooktacular Science” show on weekends will leave you spellbound by a lab bustling with bubbling potions, a hovercraft-powered ghost, and a monster-mash dance that youngsters can join. Also on weekends, enjoy Swazzle’s “Monster Menagerie”—a puppet show inspired by some of our residents. Both shows are presented in Adventure Theater in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo.
On weekends in Eucalyptus Grove, pick up some tips from our favorite pumpkin-carving artist, Gene Granata of Masterpiece Pumpkin. While you’re there, help save endangered species by symbolically A.D.O.P.T.-ing any animal at the Zoo with a minimum donation of $35. During Boo weekends, get a free spider, black cat, or bat plush with every A.D.O.P.T-ion.
Halloween Goodies for Critters and Kids
On October 20, 21, 27, and 28, the Zoo will host trick-or-treating with bags and treats provided by longtime sponsor 99 Cents Only Stores. (Available while supplies last.) But humans aren’t the only ones receiving special Halloween treats. As in years past, special weekend feedings are scheduled throughout the month for many of our animal residents, including snow leopards snacking on a carcass on October 20 and elephants stomping and chomping giant pumpkins on October 27. Discretion is advised for the carnivore feedings. See site for full event schedule, which is subject to change without notice.
