Boo at the Zoo to serve up an Icky surprise

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This article was published 26/10/2011 (5433 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you go down to the woods today, you could be in for an Icky surprise.

That’s because, for this Halloween season, the Assiniboine Park Zoo opened its gates to a one-of-a-kind animal visitor — named Icky — just in time for the Safeway Boo at the Zoo event, which began Oct. 20 and will continue until Sun., Oct. 30.

Also new this year — the main entrance for the event has been moved to the Zoo’s South Gate off Roblin Boulevard.

Organizers say the animal in question is a “strange but wonderful creature” that was discovered this summer by a group scientists conducting research in a remote area of Manitoba’s boreal forest.

Subsequent analysis suggested Icky was actually attracted to a small supply of Halloween candy one researcher had hidden in his tent, says Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s marketing and communications specialist Laura Curtis.

“We are very excited for the community to come out and experience this year’s Safeway Boo at the Zoo,” Curtis says.

“We’ve made some really fun additions to the midway and enhanced the displays so they’re more exciting and interactive for our visitors.”

 

“Also new this year is the introduction of the official Safeway Boo at the Zoo mascot, Icky. Icky is a friendly, candy-loving troll.”

Icky will be making nightly appearances at the spooky event.

And while the prospect of your kids getting up close to the candy-munching creature might seem a little scary, Curtis says his bark just might be worse than his bite.

“Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and their smiles and give Icky a hug or a high-five when they see him,” Curtis says, adding that visiting children are advised to keep a grip on their Halloween candy.

For identification purposes — Icky has a bright purple coat, which provides no daytime camouflage. He also has unusually large eyes, which help him see expertly at night and move around in the dark.

Curtis says the event, now in its 16th year, has become a Winnipeg Halloween tradition over the years.

“It’s the largest fundraising event of the year for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and a wonderful way for us to share our love of Halloween with the community,” Curtis says.

Event hours are Wednesday to Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday between 5:30 and 9 p.m.

Tickets are available at all Canada Safeway stores, at the South Gate entrance or at www.safewaybooatthezoo.com.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com