A Feast for the Beasts

Grab a pencil and draw a huge elephant on Saturday, March 26. That is the date of the Oakland Zoo’s next big Feast for the Beasts. You don’t want to miss out.

As a docent, I’ve participated in many of these events.  It’s an inexpensive, fun-filled family day. It takes the zoo experience, which is always a treat, and kicks it up a notch—all for the basic price of admission.

The Oakland Zoo hosts Feast for the Beasts twice a year. This year the dates are Saturday, March 26, and Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On these two very special days, the public is encouraged to bring their own fruits and veggies to donate to the animals.  

The first 250 people through the gate will receive a ticket to spread the produce around the elephant exhibit before our eager herd is let out to snack on the magnificent banquet. To be part of this super fun experience, you need to get to the zoo early and try to be one of the first 250 people in to get a ticket.

The donated produce is checked by zoo staff to be sure that everything is safe for our beautiful elephants, and then it is brought up to the exhibit and placed in buckets. 

The elephants wait eagerly in an off-exhibit area and peer though the fence with anticipation. They’ve been through this routine before and clearly know that it is “goodie day.”  

Soon children scamper into the exhibit, are given a bucket, and excitedly place elephant treats throughout. It’s all very reminiscent of hiding Easter eggs. 

Once all 250 people have placed their special treats (carrots, apples, celery, corn on the cob—even watermelons and cantaloupes), the exhibit is cleared of zoo visitors, and one by one the elephants are released.

The activity level is high as these creatures make their way through the exhibit eating goodies left by small hands. To the delight of the children, entire watermelons are popped into the elephants’ huge mouths with pulp and seeds squirting out to the sides.

Activities abound all day long throughout the zoo with special animal feedings, face painting and live entertainment.

Families can create burlap treats for the animals at enrichment stations, and everyone who donates produce will get a free ride coupon. 

In the children’s zoo, you can test your knowledge of animal facts and win prizes—all of that and more. There are bound to be some surprises. 

Go the zoo site below for updates and information. Feast for the Beasts is definitely a zoo day not to be missed!