Ghouls invade Winnipeg's zoo

A wild assortment of trolls, aliens, werewolves, skeletons, devils — and even the occasional jedi and princess — have taken over Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park zoo.

The annual Boo at the Zoo has returned and all sorts of creepy and cute costumed characters are wandering pathways that have become filled with cobwebs, tombstones, ghost ships, haunted houses and extremely large pumpkins.

The headless horseman was seen wandering the zoo pathways this week. ((Darren Bernhardt/CBC))

There's also the midway and mini donuts.

The graveyard included a tombstone for the Atlanta Thrashers, who have been given new life as the Winnipeg Jets. ((Darren Bernhardt/CBC))

The Halloween fantasy land is lit with eery lights and filled with spooky sounds — sometimes the sounds are even the animals, who get to reverse roles and watch the creatures for a while.

There are also family-friendly routes around some of the spookier paths.

Costumes aren't required to attend but many embrace the chance to dress up, including most of the kids. 

Boo at the Zoo runs until Oct. 20-30. Tickets are $12 at the gate, or $8.50 at Safeway stores. Children under two are free.

Gates are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the weekday or 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.