EXPERIENCES
BEHIND THE SCENES
EXPERIENCES
Sneak A Peek
Join us for a sneak peek behind-the-scenes of the habitats that guests see everyday. You and up to 15 other people will join zoo staff for a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the areas listed below to see where the animals spend their time while not on exhibit and learn how much goes into caring for the animals at the zoo.
Available 7 days a week Learn how we keep an aquarium up and running for the fish, penguins, sharks, and marine invertebrates that you see in the habitats. You will also have an opportunity to touch a sea star and an urchin while behind the scenes. Upgrade one person from your group to get the chance to feed the penguins on exhibit with the Close Encounter Penguin Program!
Available Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, at 1 pm. See where the bongos, warthogs, and hornbills of the African Veldt spend their time when they are not out in the habitat and get a sneak peek of the habitat from the animal’s view.
Minimum Age:Â 6 years of age. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Maximum # per Program:Â 16 people. One adult cannot be responsible for more than two children 12 and under.
Program Time:Â 30-45 minutes
Price: $15 per person for Members  $25 per person for Non-Members. A minimum of 4 people is needed to run these tours. Admission is included.
Advance registration required. Footwear that fully encloses the foot is required â no sandals, flip-flops or similar footwear. No photos can be taken behind the scenes. Sorry, these tours are not ADA Accessible.
 Questions? Call 616-336-4302  or  Email  [email protected]
EXPERIENCES
Close Encounters
Have you ever wanted to feed a bear or red panda? How about meeting penguins up close? Join our keepers for one of these unique experiences listed below.
Questions? Call 616-336-4302 Email [email protected]
Red Panda Encounter
- Get up close with our red pandas! During this encounter, you will have the opportunity to step inside the red panda's indoor habitat with Wyatt or Wasabi and have them eat out of your hand. You may even be able to touch them gently on the back!* It is an experience you will never forget.
- Please Note: masks and gloves are required for the safety of the animals during this encounter.
- Available Tuesday, Saturday, or Sunday, 30 minutes prior to opening.
- Price: $250 per person (maximum of 2 participants). Includes Zoo admission.
- *Due to the nature of the experience, a maximum of 2 people are allowed on this encounter, however, others may view the encounter from the viewing window. An encounter with a specific red panda is not guaranteed. Feeding and touching the animals is determined by the comfort of the animals and the discretion of animal care staff.
- Minimum age: 8 years old (children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Penguin Feeding
- Venture onto the penguin deck with a zookeeper to feed the penguins! Learn what we do daily to care for the fish, penguins, sharks and marine invertebrates that you see in the aquarium habitats.
- Price: $150 per person for Members and $160 per person for Non-Members
Includes Zoo admission - Due to the nature of the exhibit only one person is allowed on this encounter, if more people would like to be involved please see the Penguin Encounter program.
- Minimum age: 13 years old
- Availability: 10:30 am or 3 pm TH, SAT, or SUN
- Limited Availability during Sept-Oct
- Unavailable April-June
- We are unable to offer these during penguin molting or when there are eggs or chicks on exhibit.
Penguin Encounter
- Enjoy a close-up experience with a few of our Magellanic Penguins. Meet up to 2 penguins and their zookeeper in a personal, behind-the-scenes encounter space. Learn about our penguin flock and the special care we provide for them on a daily basis. (For everyone's safety, no physical contact with the penguins will occur)
- Price: $300 for Members $350 for Non-Members (price includes experience for up to 4 people)
Includes Zoo admission - Minimum age: 6 years old (children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult)
- Availability: 1 pm MON, WED, or SAT
- Limited Availability during Sept-Oct
- Unavailable April-June
- We are unable to offer these during penguin molting or when there are eggs or chicks on exhibit.
Chimpanzee Encounter
- Postponed Until Further Notice
- It takes a special level of care to manage a troop of chimpanzees. Get an up-close look behind-the-scenes, see the overnight housing and watch a training session with one of the chimps. One of our keepers will demonstrate how this training is important for maintaining chimpanzee health on a daily basis.
- Available Thursday or Saturday, 12 pm or 1 pm
- Price: $50 per person for Members $60 per person for Non-Members (Min 2 participants, max 6)
- Minimum age: 6 years old (children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Brown Bear Encounter
- Now is your chance to feed the bears! Start your day off by stepping into the bear habitat to disperse their morning diet and enrichment. Talk to the Zookeeper who takes care of them and get a chance to see the bearsâ behind-the-scenes area. (For everyone's safety, no physical contact with the bears will occur)
- Available Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday, 30 minutes prior to opening - This experience is not available January-March.
- Price: $50 per person for Members $60 per person for Non-Members (Min 2 participants, max 6)
- Minimum age: 6 years old (children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Ambassador Animal Encounter
- Postponed Until Further Notice
- Parrots, snakes, owls, and opossums are just a few animals you will meet during our ambassador animal experience. Work with one of our zookeepers to see where our program animals live and get the opportunity to learn how to properly handle up to 3 of them.
- Price: $50 per person for Members $60 per person for Non-Members (Minimum 2 participants, max 4)
- Minimum age: 8 years old (children 12 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult)