Animal Encounters

Join us in shell-abrating one of the longest-lived species on Earth. As part of this special experience, you will join a zookeeper in the tortoise habitat where you will meet our Aldabra Tortoises! You might even be able to feed these ancient giants or provide some of their daily enrichment during your time together!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 5
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Availability: Select Thursdays through September at 2:00 PM & Saturdays at 10:30 AM
• Member Pricing: $51/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $64/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

Please note: Wild Connections have limited availability. All Wild Connections require advanced reservations. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DAYS/TIMES OFFERED, AGE RESTRICTIONS, OR FOR WHAT SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE.

Every encounter is a surprise—you might meet some of our social media stars like Beau the six-banded armadillo, our scruffy-tailed skunks, or another one of our amazing ambassadors! These special animals usually live behind the scenes, but they love stepping out to help share their species’ amazing stories.

Our keepers will introduce you to the ambassador who’s most excited to meet guests that day. Each encounter is unique, based on the animal’s choice and the keeper’s discretion, so we can’t guarantee who you’ll meet—but we can promise a wild and memorable connection!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 5
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Availability: Select Sundays at 10:30 AM
• Member Pricing: $76/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $89/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

Please note: Wild Connections are not guaranteed to be private experiences unless you purchase all available tickets. Smaller groups may be combined with others. Wild Connections have limited availability. All Wild Connections require advanced reservations. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DAYS/TIMES OFFERED, AGE RESTRICTIONS, OR FOR WHAT SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE.

Come find out what is really inside of a Camel’s hump at our Bactrian Camel Wild Connection! See just how big these animals are by getting up close and personal and learning about their amazing adaptations from our knowledgeable camel keeper! Don’t worry, we did remind the camels that it is rude to spit in public!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 12
• Wheelchair Accessible: This Wild Connection goes over uneven surfaces and may include a higher barricade. Please reach out with any questions about accommodations.
• Availability: Select Wednesdays at 2:30 PM
• Member Pricing: $91/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $104/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

Please note: Wild Connections are not guaranteed to be private experiences unless you purchase all available tickets. Smaller groups may be combined with others. Wild Connections have limited availability. All Wild Connections require advanced reservations. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DAYS/TIMES OFFERED, AGE RESTRICTIONS, OR FOR WHAT SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE.

Have TONS of fun with one of our elephants and a behind-the-scenes experience! Enjoy a look into the elephant barn, get a more up-close and personal view of one of our girls, capture precious memories with a photo op, and chat with our expert keepers! It’s an extraordinary opportunity to connect with elephants in a truly special way.

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 12
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Availability: Select Sundays at 12:00 PM
• Member Pricing: $253/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $266/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

Please note: Wild Connections have limited availability. All Wild Connections require advanced reservations. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DAYS/TIMES OFFERED, AGE RESTRICTIONS, OR FOR WHAT SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE.

Frogs aren’t the only ones known for their sticky tongues, Giant Anteaters are too! Get an up close and personal view of our Giant Anteaters and see their 2 feet tongues in action as they slurp up their favorite treat, mashed avocado, through participating in a training demonstration. Our professional and knowledge staff will be there every step of the way to answer all your anteater questions, including how many ants they eat in a day!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 8
• Wheelchair Accessible: Please reach out with accessibility questions as this Wild Connection does involve a barrier of 3ft in height.
• Allergen Information: this Wild Connection does utilize Avocado. Please reach out with questions.
• Availability: Select Sundays at 11:30 AM
• Member Pricing: $96/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $109/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

The myths of dragons might have started hundreds of years ago, but our dragon is very much real! Our Komodo Dragon might not be as big as the storybook dragons, it is still the largest lizard species, some measuring up to 10 ft long! Get an up close and personal look at wear our Komodo Dragon lives, it’s special adaptations, and this carnivore’s favorite food! Don’t worry, we trust our Keepers on how to train this dragon!

• Maximum Capacity: 2
• Minimum Age: 12
• Wheelchair Accessible: This Wild Connection encompasses tight areas, uneven surfaces, and high barricades. Please reach out prior to the Wild Connection about accessibility needs.
• Disclaimer: This encounter also utilizes prey animals such as mice or fish during training sessions and enrichment building.
• Availability: Select Thursdays and Sundays at 2 PM
• Member Pricing: $91/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $104/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

Make like a sloth and hangout in our newest exhibit, Faces of the Rainforest! In this special extended Wild Connection, visit the zoo when we are closed to the public and spend over half an hour with a rainforest keeper as you come face to face with some of the residents! With sloths, howler monkeys, tamanduas and more, each Rainforest Wild Connection is sure to be unique and exciting! You will learn about animal diets, vet care, training and more as part of this unforgettable encounter. You will be able to explore the entire rainforest exhibit with a zookeeper at your side. From howler monkeys to toucans learn about each animal’s personality and unique needs!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 5
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Availability: Select Tuesdays at 11 AM
• Member Pricing: $196/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $209/ per person

CLICK HERE to Register >

The Zoo is unable to make exceptions to the age restriction. The age restrictions were developed in tandem with Education, Animal Care staff and zoo leadership to ensure the safety of our staff, animals, and visitors. We are unable to make exceptions to these policies. Due to the nature and location of these experiences, we are also unable to offer a “child swap” option.

• Children ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a paid adult. One adult must be present for every two children aged 5 – 11.
• No open food or drink is allowed during the encounter.
• Participants may only feed the animals approved diet under the supervision, and at the discretion of animal care staff.
• Participants will remain with the group throughout the duration of the encounter.
• Footbaths or booties must be used for animal safety at the discretion of the vet team.
• No running or horseplay.
• If, for animal safety, guests need to wear masks, then all guests and staff will be masked for the duration of the experience there will be no exceptions or exemptions made for these.

Wild Connection timeslots are generally released on a quarterly schedule:

• January-March dates are released in December
• April-June dates are released in March
• July-September dates are released in June
• October-December dates are released in September

For other questions or more information you can give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 358, or email us at programs@rwpzoo.org.