CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. (WSIL) -- Kangaroos, camels and zebras.. OH MY! Families can get up close to more than 50 species of exotic animals at Lazy L Safari zoo.
Vicki Lantz owns and operates the zoo with her husband, which opened up in 2010. However, her relationship with exotic animals started much earlier.
"This is my dad's original farm," Lantz explains. "I grew up on a drive-thru animal park here in the 70's and 80's."
Now, she owns animals from all over the world including lemurs, alligators, badgers, macaws, emus and much more.
"We're not your typical zoo, you can get up a lot closer to the animals than your typical zoo," Lantz says. "We offer animal feed, we also have a parakeet exhibit you can walk into and feed them."
This is the first year that she's holding Glow at the Zoo on Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30.
"You get admission, a glow stick and a smores packet for the witch's fire," she says of the event.
There's limited capacity for Glow at the Zoo as only the 17th and 24th have tickets available, so they must be purchased in advance.
If those spots get filled, visitors can still stop by during the day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays for the zoo's Fall of Fun.
There's outside games like hillbilly bowling, pumpkin tic tac toe, a playground and kiddie corral for horse shoes.
"We're selling pumpkins," Lantz says. "Plenty of photo opportunities like a giant Tarantula, so just a little bit of fun for everyone."
One of the busiest days of the year for Lazy L Safari is its Boo at the Zoo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Halloween.
"Kids can come dressed up in their favorite costume," Lantz explains. "We'll have trick-or-treat stations around. "
In addition to having visitors meet animals at the zoo, Lantz and her workers also bring the animals to others as part of a free educational programs for schools.
After learning about the animals, kids can have the chance to take a picture with a baby lemur, kangaroo or alligator and take the photo home for $10.
More information can be found .
