October at Hill City AquaZoo: Events, Black Bear Adventures & Gnocchi the Gecko
Updated: Oct 6
October is packed with exciting events, incredible wildlife stories, and fascinating animal facts at Hill City AquaZoo!
In this episode of AquaZoo Adventures, Allen, Associate Director of Guest Experience, and Shannon, Zoo Director, share everything happening this month—from special ticket deals and animal awareness days to a chocolate-loving black bear, an incredible beluga whale relocation, and a tiny new arrival named Gnocchi.
Whether you're planning your next visit, looking for family-friendly activities in Lynchburg, or simply love learning about animals, this episode is filled with educational stories, wildlife insights, and behind-the-scenes fun for all ages.
Table of Contents
October Zoo Events
Incredible Animal Stories from Around the World
Real Animal or AI?
Meet Gnocchi the Mediterranean House Gecko
Tips for Your Next Zoo Visit
Final Thoughts
October Zoo Events
October is full of exciting opportunities to explore the zoo, learn about incredible animals, enjoy special savings, and celebrate Halloween with the family.
International Zookeeper Day & World Animal Day – October 4
Celebrate International Zookeeper Day and World Animal Day at Hill City AquaZoo! It's a great opportunity to recognize the people who dedicate their time to caring for animals while learning more about the incredible species that share our planet.
Zoo Tip: Have an animal care question? Ask an AquaZoo team member during your visit and learn more about what goes into caring for the animals every day.
World Rainforest Week – October 12–18
Celebrate World Rainforest Week with special activities from the AquaZoo team!
Throughout the week, guests can learn more about rainforest animals, habitats, and the importance of protecting these incredible ecosystems. Keep an eye on AquaZoo's social media for more information about the week's activities.
International Sloth Day – October 20
Celebrate International Sloth Day with a special opportunity to get up close with one of AquaZoo's most fascinating animals.
Guests can enjoy 50% off sloth interactions on October 20 while learning more about sloth behavior, care, and unique adaptations.
Tip: Check with AquaZoo for availability and interaction details when planning your visit.
Reptile Awareness Day – October 21
Celebrate Reptile Awareness Day by learning more about snakes, lizards, turtles, and other amazing reptiles. Discover their unique adaptations, behaviors, and the important roles reptiles play in ecosystems around the world.
Don't be afraid to ask questions! AquaZoo educators love helping guests learn more about these fascinating animals.
World Planting Day – October 22
Celebrate World Planting Day and discover how plants, animals, and healthy habitats are all connected.
Plants provide food, shelter, and important resources for wildlife, making them an essential part of ecosystems around the world.
$10 Ticket Day – October 27
Enjoy an affordable day at the zoo with $10 admission for all tickets on Tuesday, October 27!
It's the perfect opportunity for families to explore Hill City AquaZoo, discover aquatic and exotic animals, and enjoy an educational adventure together.
Pro Tip: Add tokens to your visit to enjoy interactive animal experiences.
Liberty University Homecoming Weekend – October 31
Visiting Lynchburg for Liberty University Homecoming Weekend? Hill City AquaZoo is offering two special packages on October 31.
Package A – $74.99
2 admissions
20 tokens
$15 gift shop credit
Package B – $139.99
4 admissions
40 tokens
$25 gift shop credit
These packages make it easy to add an AquaZoo adventure to your Homecoming weekend in Lynchburg.
Halloween Trick-or-Treating – October 31
Looking for a safe and family-friendly place to trick-or-treat in Lynchburg? Join the Halloween fun at the mall from 5–7 PM on October 31.
This community trick-or-treating event is especially great for families with younger children, providing a fun and welcoming environment to celebrate Halloween.
Make a day of it by visiting Hill City AquaZoo before enjoying an evening of trick-or-treating!
Incredible Animal Stories from Around the World
One of the most exciting parts of this episode is Allen and Shannon's collection of fascinating animal stories, including a very determined black bear and an incredible international effort involving dozens of beluga whales.
The Chocolate-Loving Black Bear
Imagine working late at a mountain lodge only to discover a black bear has been wandering around inside!
That's exactly what happened to Tyler at a lodge in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Staff had noticed signs that a bear was sneaking inside, including overturned trash cans and disappearing chocolate and cocoa powder.
One night, Tyler and a manager searched the lodge and discovered the black bear helping himself to a five-gallon bucket of chocolate.
The bear, later named Coco, had figured out how to open the lodge doors and get inside. But the biggest surprise came from the security footage. Coco had previously spent approximately 45 minutes inside the lodge while Tyler cleaned, sometimes passing within just a few feet of him without being noticed.
Eventually, staff were able to guide Coco safely back outside, bringing one unforgettable late-night animal encounter to an end.
Wildlife Tip: Black bears are intelligent and resourceful animals with an incredible sense of smell. Properly securing food and trash can help reduce unwanted encounters between bears and people.
30 Beluga Whales on the Move
The episode also highlights an incredible international effort involving the relocation of 30 beluga whales.
Moving large marine mammals requires careful planning, specialized equipment, experienced animal care teams, and cooperation among many people and organizations.
The massive relocation offers a fascinating look at the work involved in transporting and caring for animals on such a large scale.
Conservation Tip: Learning about wildlife conservation and animal care efforts around the world can help us better understand the work involved in protecting animals.
Real Animal or AI?
With AI-generated images becoming increasingly realistic, could you tell which unusual animals actually exist?
Allen puts Shannon's animal knowledge to the test with a fun game of Real Animal or AI, featuring creatures that almost look too unusual to be real.
White Iberian Lynx
One of the animals featured is a striking white Iberian lynx. Its unusual appearance might look like something created by artificial intelligence, but nature can be full of surprises.
Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle
Another unusual animal featured in the game is the black-breasted leaf turtle. Its shell resembles a leaf, helping it blend into the forest floor and surrounding vegetation.
Play along with Allen and Shannon during the episode and see how many animals you can correctly identify!
Meet Gnocchi the Mediterranean House Gecko
One of the smallest animals featured in this episode comes with one of the most unexpected stories.
Shannon received a message about a tiny gecko that had been discovered at Hobby Lobby and brought to her in a jelly jar.
At first, she expected the animal to be a native lizard, but a closer look revealed a Mediterranean house gecko measuring only about an inch long. The tiny gecko was given the name Gnocchi and is now settling into life at AquaZoo.
What Is a Mediterranean House Gecko?
Mediterranean house geckos are small reptiles that are not native to Virginia, although populations have become established in parts of the state.
These geckos are often found around buildings and other human-made structures, where they feed on small insects and spiders. Heated buildings can also provide shelter that helps them survive colder weather.
Gnocchi currently eats tiny foods such as flightless fruit flies and pinhead crickets while continuing to grow.
Gnocchi's Future at AquaZoo
Despite his tiny size, Gnocchi may have an important job ahead!
The little gecko may become one of AquaZoo's newest animal ambassadors, giving guests an opportunity to learn more about geckos, reptiles, and how animals can sometimes establish populations far outside their native ranges.
Because Gnocchi is still incredibly small, quick, and fragile, guests may eventually be able to observe him in a travel container rather than handle him directly.
Plan Your Visit to Hill City AquaZoo
If you're searching for:
Things to do in Lynchburg, VA
Family attractions near me
Educational activities for kids
Animal encounters in Virginia
Interactive aquarium experiences
Reptile exhibits
Family-friendly events
Wildlife education
Hill City AquaZoo offers a unique experience filled with incredible animals, interactive opportunities, education, and family fun.
Website: https://hillcityaquazoo.com
Follow Hill City AquaZoo on Facebook and Instagram for animal updates, upcoming events, behind-the-scenes stories, wildlife education, ZooCrew highlights, and special promotions.
Another Adventure Awaits
From October events and Halloween fun to a chocolate-loving black bear, the incredible relocation of 30 beluga whales, unusual animals that look almost AI-generated, and Gnocchi, a tiny Mediterranean house gecko, this episode of AquaZoo Adventures is packed with stories that show just how fascinating the animal world can be.
Whether you're visiting Hill City AquaZoo for the first time or returning to see your favorite residents, there's always something new to learn, experience, and discover.
Come explore Hill City AquaZoo, join us for October events, meet incredible animals, and continue discovering the wild world around us with AquaZoo Adventures!
