Enjoy gourds of fun and watch as the Zoo’s animals go wild for pumpkin treats created by their caretakers.

 

Fall calls for pumpkins! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating the Halloween season by hosting its annual Chomp and Stomp enrichment event for the Zoo’s wildlife on Friday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy watching select members of the Zoo’s animal family delight in a harvest of pumpkins as a part of the Zoo’s ongoing animal enrichment program, designed to engage the animals’ senses, enhance their environment, and encourage natural behaviors.

This year’s event theme, “Fantasy Creatures: Chompin and Stompin Adventures,” encourages the Zoo’s animals to forage their food just as they would in the wild! Chomp and Stomp is free to attend with regular Zoo admission.

 

Chomp and Stomp Enrichment Schedule

 

  • 9:15 a.m. - Tanuki (Lakeside Grottos)
  • 10 a.m. - Dwarf Mongoose and Meerkats (Love's Pachyderm)
  • 10:45 a.m. - Elk (Oklahoma Trails)
  • 11:30 a.m. - Stingrays (Stingray Bay)

NOON BREAK

  • 12:30 p.m. - Squirrel and Spider Monkeys (Children's Zoo presented by Primrose Schools)
  • 1:15 p.m. - Galapagos Tortoises (Children's Zoo presented by Primrose Schools)
  • 2 p.m. - Asian Elephants (Sanctuary Asia)

 

“Chomp and Stomp is an engaging experience for both our animals and fans with a great purpose behind it,” said OKC Zoo’s Behavioral Welfare Manager Kim Leser. “Enrichment is very important for our animals and this event is an opportunity for our caretakers to creatively showcase species-specific behaviors while providing the animals with choices and, of course, tasty pumpkins to eat!”

Guests will have the opportunity to chat and ask questions with the Zoo’s expert team members to learn more about the Zoo’s enrichment program. Chomp and Stomp event details will be posted at the Zoo Plaza and on the Facebook page.

Do spooky season the right way at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s 41st annual Haunt the Zoo event, presented by News 9. Be a part of Oklahoma’s largest and longest-running Halloween tradition! Haunt the Zoo ensures a safe trick-or-treating environment for guests to experience the fall festivities, while being around the Zoo’s wildlife. Trick-or-treaters will see themed photobooths with spooky decorations and fun props along the Haunt the Zoo trails as they collect treats from friendly volunteers. Go all out and wear your best Halloween costume to Haunt the Zoo. Parents are encouraged to dress up too, but keep it kid friendly! Haunt the Zoo occurs Saturdays and Sundays, through October 27.

Let the Chompin and Stompin adventures begin! The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 3 through February 5, 2025. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. 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 daytime admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.

Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Looking for a year of Zoo adventures? Consider a 12-month, ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo providing general admission year-round and exclusive offers while supporting the Zoo’s ongoing animal care and conservation programs. Memberships also make great gifts for the holidays and other celebrations and can be purchased at okczoo.org/membership.