WILDLIFE IN HALLOWEEN MOOD AT WILD ANIMAL PARK

OCTOBER 28, 2005

Scarecrows line the Nairobi Village walkways and pumpkins filled with gooey fun in the African vulture and lion exhibits at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park put guests in the Halloween mood Friday.

Three of the Wild Animal Park's African lions spent the morning rolling four meat-filled pumpkins throughout Lion Camp: The Sylvia G. Straton Lion Savanna. The lions played keep away, rolled the pumpkins throughout the 1-acre naturalistic habitat and finally left only small pieces as evidence of the pumpkin carnage.

The Park's three western Rueppell's vultures also received pumpkins filled with meat parts. The birds poked their beaks through the jack-o-lantern's carved eyes, nose, and mouth to get the goodies. Other animals will receive pumpkins through Monday.

As part of this weekend's Garden Festival, 323 students from Vista's Breeze Hills Elementary School created 18 scarecrows. Classes were competing to create the best scarecrow in six categories: scariest, most unique, best theme, most environmentally friendly, funniest, and traditional. The scarecrows will remain on display as part of various Garden Festival events Saturday and Sunday, including seed bank and botanical tours, expert talks about plants, and plant care demonstrations.