Up-close and Personal Interactions

Book a Wild Connection!

Get in touch with your wild side as you join a zookeeper and an animal companion for a one-of-a-kind experience! Learn about our animal friends’ individual personalities, the world-class training and care provided by our dedicated keeper and veterinarian teams as well as what you can do help support animals like them in the wild. All while making a connection that will last a lifetime. All Wild Connection experiences last about 20-30 minutes unless otherwise noted.

This add-on experience does not include admission to the zoo. Wild Connections guests must reserve Zoo admission tickets in advance to ensure entry prior to their scheduled experience. We suggest arriving at least 30 minutes early.

Please note: Smaller groups may be combined with others. Wild Connections have limited availability and are only available on the days and times listed above and require advanced reservations. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DAYS/TIMES OFFERED, AGE RESTRICTIONS, OR FOR WHAT SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE.

Current Wild Connection Encounters:

Aldabra Tortoise Wild Connection

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 yiour time together!

• Maximum Capacity: 4
• Minimum Age: 5
• Wheelchair Accessible: No
• Availability: Select Thursdays through September at 2:00 PM and Saturdays at 10:30 AM
• Member Pricing: $51/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $65/ per person

Ambassador Animal Adventure Wild Connection

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: 6
• Minimum Age: 5
• Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
• Availability: Select Sundays at 10:30 AM
• Member Pricing: $76/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $89/ per person

Elephant Wild Connection

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 phote 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: Please note that this experience is not wheelchair accessible. Participants have to climb a flight of stairs to access the encounter space. Please call to see what accommodations can be offered.
• Availability: Select Sundays at 12:00 PM
• Member Pricing: $251/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $266/ per person

Camel Wild Connection

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 accommodatons.
• Availability: Select Wednesdays at 2:30 PM
• Member Pricing: $91/ per person
• Non-member Pricing: $104/ per person

Giant Anteater Wild Connection

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

Komodo Dragon Wild Connection

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

Private Rainforest Wild Connection

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