Roll out for this festive, family-friendly activity and watch as Zoo animals go wild for pumpkin treats!

Orange you glad that it’s pumpkin season? The Oklahoma City Zoo’s animals are all about chomping and stomping these festive fruits during this annual pumpkin-themed enrichment event. Watch as select OKC Zoo animals interact with and devour a plethora of pumpkins at Chomp and Stomp being held on Friday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Caretakers have put their creative talents to the test carving, slicing and dicing pumpkins into edible creations for the animals that showcase this year’s event theme: Orange You Scared? These unique food items are given to the animals as part of the Zoo’s ongoing animal enrichment program, which is designed to stimulate the animals’ senses and encourage natural behaviors like foraging. This activity is free to attend with Zoo admission. The Chomp and Stomp schedule is as follows:

  • 10 a.m.                Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia)
  • 10:30 a.m.          Chimpanzees (Great EscApe)
  • 11 a.m.                California Sea Lions (Sea Lion Habitat)
  • 11:30 a.m.          Galapagos Tortoises (Children’s Zoo)
  • 12:30 p.m.          Okapi, Red River Hogs (Giraffe Loop), White-Tailed Fawns (by Okapi)
  • 1 p.m.                  Cassowary (Sanctuary Asia)
  • 1:30 p.m.            Mountain Lions (Oklahoma Trails)
  • 2 p.m.                  Sumatran Tiger (Cat Forest)

Fall also brings the wildest Halloween event around, Haunt the Zoo! Enjoy the OKC Zoo’s annual Halloween tradition and the unique opportunity of trick-or-treating through the Zoo while discovering wildlife, too. Participants will discover new trick-or-treating methods in place to ensure a safe and memorable experience for all involved. General Zoo admission or memberships plus, official Haunt the Zoo treat bags are required to trick-or-treat and must be purchased in advance at okczoo.org. The cost per treat bag is $7 (nonmembers) or $6 (members). Event capacity is limited for social distancing. Haunt the Zoo runs for these weekends: Oct. 17-18; Oct. 24-25 and Oct. 31-Nov 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. To learn more about Haunt the Zoo, visit okczoo.org or call (405) 425-0262.

Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming a member. Memberships can be purchased at ZOOfriends.org or any place admission is sold in the Zoo’s Entry Plaza during regular business hours. To learn more about this event and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.