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Saturday 11am - 4:30pm Sunday 11am - 4:30pm

The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College

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The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College

The Teaching Zoo is a small, local gem, perfect for a day full of WILD fun! Staffed by students Advanced Ticketing Recommended
(229)

Last Ticket Sales at 3:45pm
Weekends Excluding Select Holidays

Included in General Admission Price:
Animal Show Times: 12:00, 2:30
Training Demonstrations: at 1:30
Ira the Lion Feeding Demonstration: 3:30pm Other Large Carnivore Feeding Demonstration: 3:45
Discovery Stations and Animal Encounters throughout the day.

05/07/2024

Celebrate the graduation of our second-year students from the Animal Care and Training Program at Moorpark College. These passionate individuals have spent the past two years dedicated to learning and honing their skills in animal care, welfare, and training.

As they embark on this new chapter in their lives, we couldn't be more thrilled to see them step into the field of animal care and training, where their dedication and passion will undoubtedly make a positive impact.

As they venture beyond our gates, they are ready to enter the realm of animal care, with several already securing positions at: Dolphin Quest, Out of Africa Wildlife Park, The Turtle Conservancy and Discovery Kingdom to name a few.

05/05/2024

As we had so much fun with Star Wars Day yesterday, we are still recovering⚡️ May the force be with you, where even our animals and students join the Galactic Alliance for a day of intergalactic adventure!

04/24/2024

From a small sugar glider to a big lion, animal care is essential! Here at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College we learn how to take care for all types of animals, we take care of our zoo family as you do your pets 🐯🦁🐵🦅🐺🐗

04/13/2024

ONE WEEK AWAY! Don’t miss the Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College’s big Earth Day celebration — “Paws for the Planet” next Saturday, April 20th.

Come celebrate what makes our planet special with your friends at the zoo. Learn and connect with this planet's wildly unique residents that need our help the most, ANIMALS!

Join us for Conservation Chats and opportunities to Connect with Creatures as we help inspire everyone to do their best for the earth. Don't miss this opportunity to say "thank you" to the earth!

🦉Wildlife Presentations
🐞 Conservation focused Vendors
🍧 Food Trucks or Bring a Picnic
🖍 Kids Crafts and Coloring
🐅 Conservation Chats

04/11/2024

The road to summer at the Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is a busy and exciting one! As 2nd years prepare to graduate and bring their skills to the world, first years are building new relationships and learning to give their animals the best care possible.

Let's give an applause of encouragement to all those who are striving towards their goals!

04/09/2024

With great care, comes great longevity! For we’re celebrating some of our distinguished females here at The Teaching Zoo.

Gumdrop the Kookaburra is 31 years old! With the average lifespan under human care being 15 to 20 years Gumdrop is a mature lady for sure! Check out our other distinguished females; Valentina the Llama (19), Maya the spider monkey (36), Tilly the box turtle (47), Ibis the serval (20), Eleanor the potbelly pig (14) and Scooter the capuchin (37) are excellent examples of the long lives animals can have with quality care.

Learning all about the animals in your care can help them have long, healthy lives too!

04/07/2024

Help us celebrate today! Our North American Beaver, Woody spends his days busy as expected: swimming in his pool, moving items around in his habitat to make a den and keeping his teeth strong chewing on bark and crunchy vegetables!

Wild beavers keep ecosystems healthy, engineering habitats for themselves and countless other species. Share to celebrate and comment 🦫to say hi to Woody!

04/05/2024

North American porcupines are skilled climbers and excellent swimmers, playing crucial roles in maintaining forest ecosystems. 🌲 Let's celebrate these prickly pals for their resilience and contributions to our natural world.

03/31/2024

Hopping into Easter with our fluffy ambassadors!!🐰🌷

Did you know most rabbits can turn their ears 180 degrees? This helps them to identify exactly where a noise is coming from. A great adaptation to help them survive in their natural habitats!

Comment a 🐰 if you love these furry creatures as much as we do!

03/20/2024

Today is World Frog Day! Did you know that frogs don’t drink water? They absorb it through their skin! Frogs have permeable skin through which they absorb oxygen and are a great indicator of ecosystem health! Come by the zoo this weekend to visit our Mission golden-eyed tree frogs in the reptile house!

03/19/2024

It’s the first day of spring and the animals are loving the sunshine! What is your favorite season of the year?

03/14/2024

Happy National Learn About Butterflies day! This species of butterfly is called the Palos Verdes Blue butterfly, and for a long time, they were presumed extinct, until a small number of them were found in 1994. The Butterfly Project, located here at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, is working hands on to increase the populations of these endangered butterflies. They are dedicated to delisting the Palos Verdes Blue butterflies from the endangered species list by breeding and releasing them into their natural environment. Come stop by the zoo to check them out!

03/13/2024

Have you heard?! Our spring spectacular starts in just three days!

See our 2nd year students highlight what they’ve learned and watch our animal ambassadors like Beaker the Hornbill and Woody the Beaver shine! Join us March 16, 17, 23 + 24!

https://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/spring-spectacular/

03/13/2024

🌞☀️ Dreaming of a summer full of adventure and unforgettable memories? Look no further! 🌈🏕

We're on the lookout for enthusiastic and fun-loving individuals to join our Summer Camp Counselor team! 🦁🐼 If you're ready to dive into a temporary, full-time role that's all about sparking creativity and making a splash with campers aged 6-17, this is YOUR opportunity! 🌟

As a Camp Counselor, you will engage campers with a variety of science and animal based activities that make this unique camp an absolute blast! 🎨🎉 From crafting cool presentations to diving into arts and crafts, games, and more.

🔍 Apply now and get ready to turn this summer into an epic adventure for both you and our awesome campers! Learn More & Apply - https://rb.gy/4zp4cp

03/11/2024

4 more days to apply!
In the animal care and training program we learn WITH the animals!

Ira is trained to open his mouth for oral exams. It's something called husbandry training. Husbandry training is training that allows the animal to voluntarily participate in their own health care! You can’t exactly ask a lion to say ahhhh to check their teeth but you can train it!

It's one of the many ways we work with the animals to provide them with the best care.

Check out the link to apply and go more information - https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/teaching-zoo/admissions-information

03/10/2024

There’s only one more week left to apply for the Animal Care and Training program at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College for this fall.

This program is for those who want to gain hands on experience with a large variety of species and are passionate about wildlife.

Begin your animal career now and apply before March 15! Link in bio.

03/07/2024

It is almost that time of the year! Spring Spectacular is just around the corner, and this year’s theme is Night Watch 🔦 This fun, scripted show is completely directed and organized by students. Bring your family, enjoy our food vendors and come watch the show! Swipe to see the show schedule for Spring Spectacular. We hope to see you all there!

03/06/2024

Last day to apply is March 15th! Don’t forget to get your application in by then. 22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to launch you into your wild career!

02/18/2024

Gus, the New Guinea singing dog, says it’s a great weekend to visit the zoo! Come by today 11-4:30 and get WILD with us! You never know what animal friends you may meet during your visit.

02/16/2024

22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to launch you into your wild career! http://tinyurl.com/2ydxajqb

As an integral component of the Animal Care and Training Program, students embark on immersive week-long internships during their second year. This distinctive aspect of the curriculum affords our students a comprehensive and hands-on encounter within their chosen field, spanning various facilities where they aspire to build their careers.

Introducing Toni! A member of the 2023 graduating class, she participated in a week-long internship in November 2022. Through persistent effort and unwavering dedication, now one year later, Toni is now an Animal care specialist at the very same organization—the renowned San Diego Zoo.

02/15/2024

22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to launch you into your wild career! http://tinyurl.com/2ydxajqb

Meet Samantha! 🌟 Samantha is a current 1st-year student in the Animal Care and Training Program. 🐾 (previously named the Exotic Animal Training and Management program or EATM)

Samantha's journey to our program is as unique as her love for animals. 🦓🦒 Having initially pursued a career in another field, she took a step back to reflect on what truly brought her joy. To her realization, one of the only things that has consistently made her happy throughout her life is the company of animals and the enchanting experiences of visiting zoos and aquariums. 🏞️🐠

In her first year, Samantha's enthusiasm has been fueled by the opportunity to assist and observe the second-year students in caring for their animals. 🤝👀 The shared passion within the community and the wealth of knowledge exchanged among peers have made her time in the program incredibly rewarding.

Looking ahead to her second year, Samantha has set ambitious goals. 🎯 She aspires to become a tiger trainer, showcasing her determination to work closely with these majestic creatures. 🐅 Additionally, she aims to build confidence in addressing large audiences, a skill that will undoubtedly contribute to her success in the field. 🗣️🌐

02/14/2024

2024 Jr. Safari Summer Zoo Camp registration is just around the corner!

Mark your calendars.

Registration opens to the general public Monday, February 26th at 9am.
Priority registration for Annual Zoo Members opens Monday, February 19th at 9am.

Learn more about the Dates and Themes - https://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/jr-safari/

02/14/2024

22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to launch you into your wild career! http://tinyurl.com/2ydxajqb

You may have seen the work of some of his four-legged, furry friends but now you get to meet the one behind the camera! Meet Tyler, a 2015 graduate of the Animal Care and Training Program (previously called the Exotic Animal Training & Management or EATM program).

Growing up Tyler always knew that he wanted to work with animals but only knew of a few of the career options that centered around animal care. Tyler joined EATM with the desire to broaden his horizons and take advantage of the fantastic networking opportunities the program has to offer. Interestingly, he had no prior animal training experience but discovered a profound love for training of all kinds through his 22 months here. The foundation he gained while learning within The Teaching Zoo allowed him to grow and expand his training skills in his job now as a movie industry animal trainer.

Tyler loves his job so much because it's constantly challenging his skills as a trainer. When training a behavior for a movie it is not just about having an animal move from point A to point B yet it is infusing character and emotion into every movement. He says, "I consider myself so lucky to be where I am today, and it's because of the EATM program and the mentors and colleagues it introduced me to that has made it all possible."

We consider ourselves fortunate to have alumni like Tyler, whose journey reflects the impact and success that the Animal Care and Training Program can bring. Tyler is also an Alumni who consistently pays it forward to our current students, summer campers, and international visitors. He generously shares his talent, offering us a glimpse into his thriving career of a movie animal trainer.

02/13/2024

22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to start your wild career this Fall! http://tinyurl.com/2ydxajqb

Meet Kyla! Kyla is current 2nd year student in Animal Care and Training Program. (previously named the Exotic Animal Training and Management program or EATM)

Kyla is from Northern California and first learned about our program through a unique connection during a visit to Monterey Zoo. Like many who have come to the program they asked the staff at the Monterey Zoo, some of whom were alumni of EATM program, "How do I get to do that!?" After the keepers told her family about this unique program at Moorpark College, Kyla decided to embark on their own journey in the world of animal care.

Kyla's favorite animal experience in the program has been working with the Tigers Neil and Karma, she had never thought about large cats being of interest but discovered they have been a great learning opportunity.

As Kyla reflects on their journey, she expresses pride in reaching the final semester of the program. The wealth of knowledge gained from both human and animal interactions has been instrumental in shaping her understanding of the field.

Looking ahead, Kyla has ambitious plans as she launches into a career in the animal care field. She plans on traveling to Africa to engage in conservation work with chimpanzees and other native animals. Furthermore, she envisions her journey continuing on to work at a sanctuary for African elephants or chimpanzees.

Way to go Kyla! We are excited to see where you go next as you venture into the animal care field.

02/13/2024

Have you always dreamed of a career in animal care?!🦁

Take your first steps!

https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/exotic-animal-training-and-management

02/12/2024

22 Months turns into a Career of a Lifetime! Application period is now open to start your wild career this Fall!

We will be highlighting students and Alumni all week long! Elle graduated from the Animal Care and Training Program 9formerly the EATM progrma) in May of this year and is now a Wildlife Care Specialist at the San Diego Zoo. As part of the team at the Wegeforth Bowl she has the opportunity to educate the public with a diverse number of species just as she did here at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College.

We are immensely proud of all our alumni who have been making a significant impact in the field of animal care, welfare, and conservation. Their stories are a testament to the education, hard work and values instilled during their time in our program.

02/12/2024

Are you ready for a WILD career? Come join the Animal Care and Training program at The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College! Applications are open until March 15th, link in bio!

02/04/2024

🎉🎂

02/02/2024

Have you heard of the Great Backyard Bird Count? On Sunday, February 18th we will have our very own bird count at the zoo! Be a part of conservation and join in the fun! Stay tuned for ticket information. For more information on the worldwide count, visit birdcount.org

Address

7075 Campus Road
Moorpark, CA
93021

Opening Hours

Saturday	11am - 4:30pm
Sunday	11am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(805) 378-1441

Website

http://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/

Alerts

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Videos

“I’m not lazy, I’m conserving energy!” -Ira . The King of the Campus turns 10 this Saturday! Join us for a celebration!

Wild Lights & Ocean Nights!

Illuminate your family's holiday season with Wild Lights and Ocean Nights! 🎄🎇 Join us on select nights in December for a dazzling display of lights. Create cherished memories under the twinkling lights – secure your tickets now and make this holiday season truly special! 🌟🎟️ #WildLightsMagic #OceanNightsAdventure #HolidayLights #venturacounty

😴 Dreaming of this magical moment we caught last year of Ira the Lion 🦁 singing his version of a Christmas carol under his canopy of lights. We open tomorrow night!! Gather the family and join us!! 🎄*please note this is not an animal centered event. Some of our animals enjoy the lights, some sleep through the night. #holidaylights #thingstodoinmoorpark #conejovalley #ThingsToDoWithKids

We are thrilled to announce that in an effort to deepen our connection within our community and recognize the college that we call home, America's Teaching Zoo will be renamed -- The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College. The college and community have supported us for 50 years, and we are honored to move into the future with this new name. We also feel inspired by our new logo, which comes from an actual photograph of Ira the lion, who is the king of our campus. This picture was taken last year and when we saw it, we knew immediately that it would be the image to move us into the future. The photograph was morphed into our graphic logo by a student, and that makes the connection that much deeper. We also pay tribute to our home, Moorpark College by the subtle "M" at the bottom of Ira's mane. We hope you celebrate these changes with us as we move into the next 50 years.

🖤🖤The Dia De Los Muertos ofrenda is back this year and bigger!! 🐕🐆 Create your own alebrije or animal spirit guide as we get into the Halloween spirit at Boo at the Zoo! #ThingsToDoWithKids #thingstodoinconejovalley #moorpark #they#teachingzoo

Don’t Ghost Us!! Mark your calendar for Boo at the Zoo 👻🎃This year we are brewing up some wicked fun with some new interactive 🍬trick or treat stations, 🔎 a scavenger hunt, 🖍️ kids craft and of course spooktacular wildlife presentations & meet & greets. 🦝🦔🦜🎟️ Get your tickets!!

The countdown is on!! 5 more days till opening night of Wild Lights & Jungle Nights! We are so excited to share all the holiday magic we have planned! #holidaylights #lightevent #venturacounty #moorparkcollege #thingstodoinmoorpark #thingstodoinconejovalley #familytime

Wild Lights & Jungle Nights!! ✨🍃 We are glowing brighter and bigger this year!! ❄️ Enjoy the Arctic Enchanted Aviary and the Illuminated Jungle complete with a Glow in the Dark Garden as you take a self guided, 45 minute stroll throughout the Zoo filled with dynamic lights, immersive interactive experiences, fabulous photo ops, and seasonal magic ❄️Santa's Workshop and 12 foot tall Holiday Tree will greet you as you start your journey. ❄️ Catch Ira roaring (or snoring) under his Canopy of Lights which is glowing brighter & bigger this year. Starts November 23rd and runs select dates through December 30th.

We are SO EXCITED to be back for 2 Weekends of Family Fun!!! This Boo at the Zoo will be a howling good time! You don’t want to miss it! 🎃Interactive Trick or Treat Stations 🎨Free Kids Crafts & Scavenger Hunt 📸Photo Opportunities 🐢Wildlife Programs and Animal Meet & Greets 🌯Food Trucks October 22nd & 23rd October 29th & 30th Get your tickets 🎟 ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UFelCG

SALUTE A STUDENT

Purchasing Spring Spectacular Tickets!

Shortcuts

Our Story

America’s Teaching Zoo is the unique home to the Exotic Animal Training and Management(EATM) program at Moorpark College. This one of a kind zoo has been in operation since 1974 and attracts students from around the world with its unique “hands on” education and one of a kind curriculum. Students in the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program spend seven days a week cleaning, feeding, and training our 100+ exotic and domestic animals. Our program is constantly growing and changing as we strive to best prepare our students to enter animal care and husbandry field. Visitor Information Hours: 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Weekends Excluding Holidays Included in General Admission Price: Animal Show Times: 12:00 and 2:00 Large Carnivore Feeding Demonstrations: 3:30 to 4:00 Discovery Stations and Animal Encounters throughout the day! Admission: Adults $8.00; Children and Seniors $6.00; Under 2 Free Cash or check only. Sorry, credit cards can not be processed yet…we are working toward being able to do this soon! New! Behind the Scenes Tours at 12:45 and 2:45 for an additional $7 per person. Join a limited number of guests invited to inspire a Kookaburra to sing, see where we send the large carnivores to play, see where we make 130 exotic animal meals each day, and other up close and personal opportunities behind the scenes. Purchase your tour tickets at the front entrance Ticket Booth. Members receive free general weekend admission and discounted admission to zoo special events. See link below to become a member! Address: 7075 Campus Road Moorpark, CA 93021 Phone: (805) 378-1441 Fax: (805) 378-1569 Parking: All parking spots are open for guest parking on the weekends, although handicapped spots require a placard.