"We want kids to have that 'boo!' moment—that little shiver of excitement—but walk away loving animals," said a zoo educator. "The scariest thing we have here isn't a monster; it's the idea of losing more species."

Organizers recommend arriving early to snag a parking spot at the Southern Boulevard entrance and reminding parents that the zoo’s real animals—from the tigers to the lemurs—will be watching the costumed crowds with just as much curiosity.

However, the true highlight remains the Extinct Animal Graveyard —a whimsically spooky trail where children can meet "ghost" versions of animals that have vanished from the earth, such as the dodo bird and the passenger pigeon, all while learning about modern conservation efforts.

Boo at the Zoo runs weekends through October. For ticket prices and times, visit bronxzoo.com.