Get up close and personal with your favorite Zoo animal by booking a Wild Connection today!
Description: Get in touch with your WILD side as you join an RWPZ Zookeeper and an animal companion for a one-of-a-kind animal encounter experience! Learn about our animals friends’ individual personalities, the world-class training and care our keeper staff provides, and what you can do help support animals like them while making a connection that will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
Cost: Members: $200, includes two participants, $40 for each additional person
Non-Members: $220, includes two participants, $45 for each additional person
Please Note: This add-on experience does not include admission to the zoo. Wild Connections guests must reserve timed Zoo admissions tickets in advance to ensure entry to the Zoo prior to their scheduled experience. We suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early to park to allow adequate time for parking, admission and to connect with your Zoo host. Masks are required for the duration of this experience.
Duration: 15-20min
Capacity/Age Restrictions: Wild Connections are experienced in various exhibits and behind the scenes locations around the zoo, each with its own capacity, age restrictions and levels of accessibility. See each individual offering below for more details. Children ages 5-11 must be accompanied by a paid adult with one adult present for every two children ages 5-11.
Booking: Each encounter is available at one pre-designated time per week. These experiences have limited availability and require advance reservations. Dates are currently being booked through October.
To book a Wild Connections experience, give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 352 For other questions or more information, you can also email us at programs@rwpzoo.org
See if you can match our Giant River Otters’ energy in this truly unique experience. As one of only 8 accredited zoos in North America with Giant River Otters, we are excited to offer you the opportunity to head behind the scenes to discover some of the work and care that goes into keeping these voracious and energetic boys well fed and happy! Help our zookeepers prepare a delicious snack for the otters, meet the otter boys, and even go into their habitat for an all-new perspective of our newest exhibit, Faces of the Rainforest!
- Capacity: 4
- Min Age: 5
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Availability: Sundays at 11:00AM (Must be booked in Advance)
To book a Wild Connections experience, give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 352 For other questions or more information, you can also email us at programs@rwpzoo.org
Come face-to-knee with the world’s tallest land animal as a keeper introduces you to one of our vertically gifted friends—the Masai giraffe! Learn about training, enrichment, veterinary care and more during this behind-the-scenes encounter. You may even have the opportunity to offer your animal friend a snack!
- Capacity: 6
- Min Age: 5+
- Not Wheelchair Accessible (ask for available accommodations)
- Availability: Tuesdays at 2:00pm (Must be booked in advance)
To book a Wild Connections experience, give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 352 For other questions or more information, you can also email us at programs@rwpzoo.org
Are these African equids black with white stripes or white with black stripes? This is just one of the questions you can ask as you join a Plains of Africa zookeeper as they take you behind the scenes to meet a zebra! You might even ‘spot’ some of our cheetahs during this special experience. Learn about training, vet care, enrichment and more during this personal experience with a zookeeper.
- Capacity: 6
- Min Age: 5+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Availability: Thursdays at 2:00pm (Must be booked in advance)
To book a Wild Connections experience, give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 352 For other questions or more information, you can also email us at programs@rwpzoo.org
This experience is sure to make a splash! Catch up with one of our Harbor Seal keepers as you venture into the exhibit to meet Bubba the Harbor Seal! Learn about how regular training sessions keep our animals healthy and alert as you assist in this important part of Bubba’s day.
- Capacity: 6
- Min Age: 5+
- Not Wheelchair Accessible
- Availability: Tuesdays at 12:00pm (Must be booked in advance)
To book a Wild Connections experience, give us a call at (401)-785-3510 ext. 352 For other questions or more information, you can also email us at programs@rwpzoo.org
Who hasn’t looked at a Red Panda and immediately fallen in love? Join one of our keepers as you venture directly into the Red Panda exhibit to meet one of our furry friends! Learn about their day-to-day care, training, and enrichment as you visit with these adorable Himalayan heartthrobs. (Note: long pants are required for all participants).
- Capacity: 2
- Min Age: 12+
- Not Wheelchair Accessible
- Availability: Fridays at 10:00am (Must be booked in advance)
PLEASE NOTE: Wild Connections with the Red Panda are sold out through October and there is no waitlist. However, if you would like to be notified when any new Wild Connections timeslots are available to book on a first come, first served basis, please email djhill@rwpzoo.org along with your name, email and phone number to be added to our Priority Notification List