San Antonio Zoo's Valentine's Day events featuring popular 'Cry Me a Cockroach' fundraiser

SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Zoo is going all-out with Valentine's Day this year with multiple events scheduled.

The zoo is returning its popular "Cry Me a Cockroach" fundraiser, where patrons can symbolically name a cockroach, rodent, or veggie after their ex before being fed to animals. Cockroaches can be purchased for $10, rodents for $25, and veggies for $5.

A "Meet Your Next Ex!" Valentine's Day mixer will feature a jungle-themed celebration for 21+ adults that celebrates singles, couples, and everything in between. Glowsticks will be available to signify relationship status; single, taken, or "it's complicated." Exotic specialty drinks, interactive animal experiences, music, and comedy performances will be available. Tickets for the mixer are $30 per person and will be held on Feb. 8, 2024, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For a unique way to experience the zoo, an adults-only VIP tour will occur multiple times in February. The tour, which is for 18+ and costs $79 per person, is an after-dark adventure that features an intimate cart ride through the zoo where a guide will share knowledge of wildlife romance. The ticket includes an animal plush to take home.

Event dates for the "Naughty by Nature!" VIP tours are as follows:

• February 10, 11, and 12 at 6:00 p.m.
• February 13 at 6:00 and 7:15 p.m.
• February 14 at 6:00, 7:15 and 8:15 p.m.
• February 15 at 6:00 and 7:15 p.m

A one-of-a-kind dining experience will be held on Valentine's Day where couples can enjoy a fine dining experience in the hippo-viewing cave. A mixer will be held before dinner with hand-crafted cocktails and appetizers. The dinner is 21+ with limited seating. Reservations are $175-$250 per person for two seating times, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The zoo offers animal Kiss-o-grams and a hippo poop-inspired candle for gifts. A Kiss-o-gram is a $10 video featuring one of the zoo animals kissing the camera. For hippos, poop is the ultimate cologne. The poop-scented candle was inspired by well-known zoo resident Timothy the Hippo and will be offered for $15.99.

For more information on the events the San Antonio Zoo will be holding this year, or to make reservations for an event, visit their website at sazoo.org.