Boo at the Zoo, a traditional Winnipeg Halloween event, has been cancelled due to declining attendance.

About 18,000 fewer people attended the event in 2012 than in the previous year, officials said.

Laura Curtis, Manager of Communications for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, said families will miss the event but it got to the point where attendance did not justify the annual cost.

"At the end of the day we must consider a variety of factors with declining attendance and escalating costs. It is meant to be fundraising event and that's not feasible anymore."

The zoo plans to redeploy resources to focus on the Journey to Churchill polar bear exhibit.