Critters and Jitters: Griffith Park’s Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo (Photo by Amber Clark)

Although I can still get up on stage and I can hang out with the punk kids, I avoid crowds unless there is a big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Plus, I’m not exactly a family guy with a family schedule, and I’m not going to wake up before noon if I can help it. Luckily, I did take the time to see Boo at The Zoo. The seasonal decorations seem out of step for 96 degree weather, but the spirit cancels all of that out with one of the best Zoo events all year long.

Boo at the Zoo fits the bill for family fare and for folks that love animals, or folks that love anything cool. The park was impeccably decorated. There is a spooky barn where you can get an “American Gothic” type photo op free of charge. The night and cave dweller exhibit is gussied up with videos of bugs crawling everywhere, and we got to  see the Komodo Dragons soon after their snack of raw cow femurs. Both of the reptiles were steeped in food lethargy, and were resting their heads on their bones like giant prehistoric kittens.

There were far more events going on than I was able to see, so check the schedule. Pumpkin feedings, costumed trick or treating and the Halloween parade are only at select times or on certain days. With face painting, sing-a-longs, and a hay maze, you can’t help but be affected. I may be a grouchy old horror punk, but it’s nice from time to time to just go with the flow and let the wonder and enthusiasm overwhelm you. Happy Halloween!

Photo essay after the jump

Boo at the Zoo October 1 through 31, 2015 10 am – 4 pm

Zoo residents celebrate along with everyone, so guests are encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for seasonal feedings of pumpkins for plant eaters and carcasses for carnivores on select dates (parental discretion for the latter is advised).  Feedings are set for jaguars on Saturday, October 10; for elephants on Sunday, October 11; for the black bear on Saturday, October 17; for the tiger on Sunday, October 18; for snow leopards on Saturday, October 24; and for Komodo dragons on Sunday, October 25.  On Halloween, Saturday, October 31, guests can celebrate the one-year birthday of Rosie, the Zoo’s near-legendary baby hippo, with activities to be announced.  Traditional trick-or-treating at the Zoo takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25 and Saturday, October 31.

Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo is $20 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $17 for seniors (ages 62+), and $15 for children (ages 2 to 12).  No ticket is required for children under 2.