Enjoy gourds of fun and watch as the Zoo’s animals go wild for pumpkin treats created by their caretakers.
Let’s give them pumpkin to talk about! The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is celebrating the Halloween season with the annual Chomp and Stomp enrichment event, sponsored by Sam’s Club. Enjoy watching select members of the Zoo’s animal family delight in a harvest of pumpkins on Friday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This year’s theme is “The Sweetest Pumpkin: Sweets, Spice and Everything Nice,” and features unique food items that engage the animals’ senses, enhance their environment, and encourage natural behaviors like foraging. Chomp and Stomp is free to attend with regular Zoo admission.
“Enrichment is a process that’s part of our animals’ daily lives. Every fall we pump-kin it up to encourage our animals’ natural behaviors, but also to showcase the creativity of our caretakers,” said Kimberly Leser, OKC Zoo’s behavioral husbandry and welfare manager. “Chomp and Stomp kicks off one of our most-festive times of year at the Zoo, leading into Haunt the Zoo, SAFARI LIGHTS, and more. It’s a really great event to bring the whole family out to connect to our animal family and our conservation mission while having a whole lot of fun.”
Chomp and Stomp Enrichment Schedule
- 9:15 a.m. – Chimpanzees
- 9:45 a.m. – Indian Rhinos
- 10 a.m. – Zebras
- 10:45 a.m. – Honey Badgers
- 11:30 a.m. – Cichlids
NOON BREAK
- 12:30 p.m. – Galapagos Tortoises
- 1:15 p.m. – Raptor Ridge Birds
- 2 p.m. - Asian Elephants
Our amazing animal caretakers will be competing to see which team can come up with the most creative enrichment, and guests who visit on the day of the event will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. The Zoo’s expert team members will also be available for guests to chat and ask questions to learn more about the featured animals and the Zoo’s enrichment program. Chomp and Stomp event details will be posted at the Zoo Plaza and on the Zoo’s social platforms and website.
For more fall fun, visit the Oklahoma City Zoo’s 42nd annual Haunt the, presented by News 9 and Homeland, held every weekend in October. Haunt the Zoo ensures a safe trick-or-treating environment for guests to experience the fall festivities, while being around the Zoo’s wildlife. After collecting treats from friendly volunteers along the Haunt the Zoo trail, guests can enjoy themed photo spots with spooky decorations and fun props along the lakeside. Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear their best family-friendly Halloween costumes to Haunt the Zoo. Masks, balloons, and prop sords and other weapons are not permitted.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Avoid the entry lines and purchase advance Zoo admission tickets online at okczoo.org/tickets. 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, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Zoo more with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12 months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.