The Wild West has come to the Moorpark College Zoo for the 20th annual Spring Spectacular event.
Each year the Exotic Animals Training and Management (EATM) program hosts the Spring Spectacular, which features many of the zoo’s exotic animals, while giving students a chance to show off their skills with them. This year’s theme for the show is “Blazing Saddle.” Upon entering the zoo patrons will find staff and students dressed to fit the part with cowboy hats and boots all around.
“We use this as our big fundraiser of the year and as a big part of the [goals of the] zoo which is outreach and conservation,” said Natasha Rendon, a student of EATM.
Spring Spectacular features many fun ways to see and interact with EATM’s animals. An event called “Creature Feature” gives audience members an opportunity to see and touch specific animals while “Eye to Eye” puts an emphasis on educating its viewers. Many of the events are centered on teaching kids and their families about animals and how to live in harmony with them.
“The Zoo is really about education and conservation,” said Rendon. “[We want] to get our message out. It’s really good for the animals and it’s really exciting.”
The Spring Spectacular began 20 years ago and has since been a highly anticipated show for the staff and students at the zoo. Because this event is their main fundraiser of the year, plenty of hard work and preparation goes into this event. According to EATM student Tia Orbin, one of the best things for her and her fellow classmates is watching the effect animals have on people.
“I like people’s reactions,” said Orbin. “When we tell them an interesting fact, like that cockroaches can live without their heads for a week or two, I just really like actually educating people about the animals.”
The EATM program is one of two in the country. It is a place where students can learn about the training and care of animals. From animal health to training animals for movies, the sky is the limit for EATM graduates.
EATM has been around since 1974 and is located on five acres of Moorpark College. It features over 120 animals ranging from reptiles, like alligators, to insects, birds, a water buffalo, monkeys and many more.
The star of this year’s Spring Spectacular is a miniature horse named Nicholas, who can be seen in the main event showing off his
special tricks.
“This was a really good one,” said Kassie Schuerr, an EATM alumni in attendance. “I was here last year too, and they put on a great show..”
This year’s Spring Spectacular will have its final shows on March 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Main show times are 10:15 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Children under two are free. For more information, go to moorparkcollege.edu/zoo
