Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event for all ages that offers the opportunity to showcase the achievements of The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College to the local community.
The event occurs over two weekends from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the first celebration on Oct. 19 and 20, and the second on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Boo at the Zoo gives students a chance to connect with attendees while demonstrating skills learned in the Animal Training and Care program. Charles Prestidge, a Moorpark College student at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, worked the event on Oct. 20 and talked about how busy the first-weekend showcase had been.
“We sold over 2000 tickets for today alone. It was insane this morning when we first opened,” Prestidge said.
Attendees can experience a day full of interactive activities, such as trick-or-treating, face painting and fishing for candy. At almost every exhibit, there is a student of the program with a wealth of information ready to help kids and adults learn about the different animals and species at the zoo. Other entertainment includes pumpkin bingo, festive photo opportunities and delicious cuisine from vendors like California Bun and J_K Catering.
This event was also a great opportunity for visitors to finally experience Rajah’s Retreat Tiger Exhibit and Habitat, the new $3.5 million sanctuary for Bengal tigers Neil and Karma.
Neil and Karma were seen lounging around different parts of their new home, enjoying their new digs and attention from onlookers.
Melissa Rosel, a student of The Teaching Zoo, shared her first-year experience working at the event as a new student in the program.
“I love interacting with the kids,” Rosel said. “Seeing this amount of people come together actually learning and taking an interest in conservation is really inspiring.”
Boo at the Zoo allows for the community to experience the Moorpark Teaching Zoo in an interactive and fun way. Children and parents alike dressed up in costumes and participated in the different events and offerings, aimed to interest attendees in zoology and conservation. All the proceeds for the event help support America’s Teaching Zoo as each ticket sold helps with the exhibits, their nutrition and animal care.
Ventura County resident Sloane Beeson brought her daughters to the event after receiving a flyer in the mail.
“This is our first year coming, it just really looked like a lot of fun,” Beeson said. “I feel like a lot of activities in the area are always the same so I’m happy to switch it up.”
With the city of Moorpark reaching a high of 85 degrees during the first weekend of Boo at the Zoo, Gold Coast emergency medical technicians were there to ensure everything went smoothly. EMTs Austin James and German Suarez joke they were “just making sure no kids get eaten by a lion” while passing out candy.
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is located on Moorpark College’s campus at 7075 Campus Road and is open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year.
There is still time to enjoy the final weekend of Boo at the Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
