Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS
September 28, 2020
Boo at the Zoo
- as seen by -
Julie Larsen
Vultures, snakes, and bats. Other animals that creep and crawl.
No time to fear, it’s that time of year. October brings back WCS Bronx Zoo’s Halloween tradition, Boo at the Zoo.
Many animals are part of the season’s “MASKerade”.
The king vulture’s (Sarcoramphus papa) multicolored “mask” is as functional as it is beautiful. Its head and neck are bald – nature’s way to help it stay clean and healthy after dining out on a dead animal.
This bird of prey is a scavenger that uses its strong sense of smell to find its next feast. The vulture’s sharp beak and talons come in handy when it eats the rotting carcass.
Sound gross? Be grateful. The vulture’s affinity for carrion aids in keeping wild places clean.
Bronx Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is an annual event. Held on a single weekend when it began decades ago, Boo at the Zoo 2020 is a month-long (Thursdays-Sundays, October 1-November 1) experience that includes animals and activities.
“We are so happy to continue a wonderful Halloween tradition for families to enjoy. Magic shows, pumpkin carving demonstration, pumpkin and candy trails, and a MASKerade as a scavenger hunt are just some of the activities in store this season,” Rachel Libretti, director of the event.
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