America’s Teaching Zoo hosted an open-house party on Tuesday, March 8, afternoon featuring animal shows, displays and free food to raise awareness for the American Association of Zoo Keepers chapter on campus and promote opportunities for visitors to be involved.

Several members of America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College were parading across campus accompanied each with an animal such as a snake, a parrot and even a bunny to draw in students, as well as anyone who stopped to see the varied display of exotic creatures, and tell them about the event at the zoo occurring just minutes later.

Annika Howland, a member of the AAZK, was one such promoter carrying with her a grey bunny rabbit she affectionately referred to as D-Buns while shouting to students and passersby about the imminent event.

“Most people don’t know we have a zoo,” said Howland.

Howland, who hosted a presentation of several animals doing tricks on the main stage, described the party as a collection of shows and animal meet and greets aimed at introducing attendees to the zoo and its residents, hopefully garnering interest in animal sponsorships in order to raise funds for animal conservation.

Once a month, sponsors are invited to play with the animal they’ve “adopted,” open to them an any friends and family they would like to bring. For example, $2,000 sponsors Ira the lion and would let a his or her sponsor come to the zoo and play tug of war with the King of the Campus along anyone they’d like to bring.

The AAZK chapter at Moorpark College will participate in future events as well such as the Bowling for Rhinos event to garner funds for preserving rhino habitats in Africa and Indonesia.

America’s Teaching Zoo is open to the public every weekend from 11:00am to 5:00pm if you missed out on the free viewing.