Contact: Jason Jacobs
323/644-4273

The Los Angeles Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26, 2008. For this festive two-day event, the Zoo is transformed into themed areas for trickor-treaters. This event features amazing pumpkin-carving demonstrations, face painting and trick-or-treating throughout the Zoo. Don’t miss the Zoo’s fun mirrors house and see a gravity defying, stilt-walking scarecrow. Make sure to catch exciting performances at the Freaky Fun House, located at Treetops Terrace! See the Zoo’s animals Stomp ‘n Chomp pumpkin treats on both days.

This year the Zoo is highlighting the rare Chacoan peccary, a species similar to pigs. Native to Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay, the Chacoan peccary was thought to be extinct until 1972, when Dr. Ralph M. Wetzel of the University of Connecticut, found the species still existed in Paraguay.

Though it was only recently discovered that the species still exists, peccaries are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Currently, there are 47 peccaries in a captive managed program with only 11 zoos in the U.S. exhibiting Chacoan peccaries.

The L.A. Zoo is proud to announce that, in less than one week, four Chacoan peccaries were born at the Los Angeles Zoo. This marks the first time Chacoan peccaries have ever been born at the L.A. Zoo! The first peccary was born on Thursday, September 11 and the litter of three followed suit five days later on Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

To celebrate Halloween, the Zoo’s peccaries will receive pumpkins as a delightful and tasty treat!

WHEN: Official Kick-Off Press Event Friday, October 24 at 9:30 a.m. with
Chacoan peccaries munching on delicious pumpkin treats
Boo At the Zoo
Saturday and Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2008
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Park in the Zoo’s main lot and proceed to the bus circle where a cart
will transport you to the press event.

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The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10am to 5pm daily. For general information, call 323/644-4200.