Welcoming Autumn to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Fall is the season for the senses – the sights, sounds and smells of the zoo transform as our animals sense the new time of year. As we transition to shorter days and chillier nights, their behavior can change too as they prepare for the colder months ahead.  

We invite you to join us this fall for exciting events that highlight the season and allow you to see our animals in their new phase. Zoo Boo starts this month, and for three weekends in October, guests can get tickets to come trick-or-treat among the animals with fun costumes and games. At Zoo Boo, guests of all ages can get into the Halloween spirit with our new Spooky Stroll that brings eerie fog, music and fall decorations to our Wildlife Trail.  

Our Squishing of Squash event, where animals receive enrichment items in pumpkins, will be on Saturday, November 5. Animals will receive their pumpkins at different times throughout the day, finishing with the elephants smashing our featured giant pumpkin. The giant pumpkin’s seeds are saved to reuse for next years pumpkins.

In the spirit of fall, we have new fall items on our Honeybee Café menu like seasonal sandwiches and salads. Stay cozy during your visit with one of our pumpkin spice lattes or other warm beverages. 

Our annual Holiday Nights event series starts December 2nd, where guests can visit the zoo after hours and enjoy the season with cozy campfires, smores and festive entertainment. We are proud to partner again with PTech engineering students to bring our guests a spectacular light show that inspired all the attendees last year.  

Make sure to join us on Sunday, December 18 for our Holiday with the Animals event, where you can watch our animals open their holiday presents! Guests will have a schedule of when each animal will receive their enrichment presents. This event is included in the regular admission for the day. Come and celebrate the holidays among the animals! 

Here at the zoo, our conservation mission never hibernates. We are always in action as we host, educate and help give guests “the best day ever” 363 days a year. Your visit helps us to care for our extraordinary creatures and save them in the wild.  

Come enjoy the fall foliage and the animals at the zoo and create memories to last a lifetime. We hope to see you soon!