The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will conduct its annual La Gran Fiesta celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month Saturday featuring entertainment from mariachi groups and youth folklorico dancers.
Guests can participate in arts and crafts, special activities such as a discussion from the park’s animal care team and a treasure hunt throughout the park.
During the celebration, the Living Desert will also share information about the plight of the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine animal. Between six and 22 of the small porpoises remained alive in 2018, according to the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita.
La Gran Fiesta attendees will be encouraged to “adopt” a vaquita, with all proceeds going to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals from Extinction vaquita conservation action plan.
As a special gift for attending the event, the first 1,000 guests will receive a pepper plant cultivated and grown at The Living Desert.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday with the final admission at 4 p.m.