WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The Lunar New Year is here, and according to the Chinese Zodiac, it\u2019s the Year of the Fire Horse. <\/p>\n
Zoo New York held an event Saturday to celebrate. There weren\u2019t any equestrian attractions, but the festivities did feature a dragon. <\/p>\n
A bearded dragon, that is. She was the star of the show at Zoo New York\u2019s Lunar New Year Celebration. Her name is Sahara. Specifically, she\u2019s an Eastern bearded dragon and she was capturing hearts at the same time as she was trying to capture bugs. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just good to see her get some attention,\u201d said Sahara\u2019s handler, Alexa Haugen. \u201cShe\u2019s a very good girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the event, Haugen made it her goal to teach folks a thing or two about bearded dragons, and clear up any misconceptions about the species. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe is actually a really calm animal,\u201d said Haugen. \u201cShe\u2019s really good at being handled. Also, not many people can tell the difference between different kinds of lizards. Someone just came in here and called her a gecko.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sahara wasn\u2019t the only attraction, however. Folks could try their hand at traditional Chinese calligraphy. Take part in various arts and crafts, making things like fortune tellers, and even sample from a snack board meant to imbue them with good luck for the year. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got games and traditional treats,\u201d said the zoo\u2019s interim director Mark Irwin. \u201cWe\u2019re just leaning into the celebration of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an event Irwin says wouldn\u2019t have been possible without the help of his team.<\/p>\n
\u201cLargely our team of staff has come come up with the ideas,\u201d he said. \u201cTraditionally we have done this event the last several years. Members of our community will come out, advise, and set it up. This year we\u2019re excited to celebrate the year of the horse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irwin tells us the next big event the zoo has planned is the Spring Fling. That\u2019ll be in late April. <\/p>\n
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