Wild Encounters
Is there a Zoo animal you’d love to meet? Reserving a private Wild Encounter may be right for you! The Wild Encounters program includes a private meeting with your choice of Animal Ambassador for you and one guest (see minimum age requirements). Wild Encounter programs take place at the Zoo, are subject to animal and staff availability, and require advance reservations.
Each Wild Encounter is a unique experience and is a private program for you and your guest*. Facilitated by a Zoo Educator or Animal Care staff, you will have the opportunity to meet and learn about the animal of your choice. Touching and/or feeding opportunities are generally included with most animals, (but it's up to the animal so it can't be guaranteed!) Non-flash photography for personal use is allowed with your host's guidance.
To make a reservation request, visit our online registration portal and click on the Special Experiences tab, or contact us at zooeducation@lafayette.in.gov to inquire.
Wild Encounter: Sloth
Hang out with one of the coolest animals ever! Participants will have the chance to meet Irma, one of the zoo's sloths and learn all about this amazing species. Plus, you will have the chance to hand feed the sloth its afternoon meal. A touching opportunity is also included with this experience, at the sloth's discretion. A keepsake photo can also be facilitated by your educator host at no additional cost. This program takes place in the DeFouw Education Center.
For: Ages 5+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $75, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: Afternoons only between 1:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Owl
Whoooo doesn't love owls? With this Wild Encounter, participants will meet our resident Eastern screech owl, Nox, in a classroom space. A qualified handler will teach about the unique traits of owls and demonstrate how birds of prey are presented on a glove for education programs. Participants will be given the opportunity to borrow a falconer glove and have the owl sit upon their hand for a feeding opportunity. Handling of owl artifacts are also included.
For: Ages 12+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $65, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Available: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: New Guinea Singing Dog
Get to know the elusive New Guinea Singing Dog - one of the rarest wild dogs in the world! This encounter takes participants behind-the-scenes in the Australia exhibit area to meet our resident Ambassador dog. Once believed to be extinct in the wild, participants will learn about the incredible rediscovery of a small population of singers in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea. With only a few hundred known singing dogs in zoos around the world, this is Wild Encounter opportunity not to be missed!
For: Ages 8+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $85, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: 10:00am - 4:00pm daily, from April-early November. This encounter takes place in an outdoor exercise yard and is weather temperature-dependent.
Don't see what you have in mind? Contact us to discuss other possibilities. Most of the Animal Ambassadors are eligible for a Wild Encounter upon request. Examples of other Animal Ambassadors that may be available include: armadillo, opossum, prairie dog, tree frogs, tenrec, iguana or other lizards. Sorry, the river otters, monkeys and bald eagle are not eligible for education programs. Penguin encounters are not available at this time.
Wild Encounter: Porcupine
Meet Polk, the Zoo's North American Porcupine. Participants in this encounter will go backstage to prepare Polk's diet tray and deliver it, observe a training session, and even touch the porcupine (carefully) with handler assistance. A keepsake photo can also be facilitated by your encounter host at no additional cost. This program takes place in the DeFouw Education Center and includes behind-the-scenes access. Closed toe shoes are required. Porcupine encounter may take place in the outdoor exhibit or in a classroom space, depending upon the weather.
For: Ages 8+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $65, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Available: varies seasonally
Wild Encounter: Galapagos Tortoise
Take a trek behind the scenes at our Galapagos giant tortoise exhibit and meet one of the Zoo's most endangered species. Zoo residents Daphne and Baltra will be waiting to meet participants for feeding and touching opportunities. Participants will learn how these genetically precious animals receive specialized care. This encounter takes place in the outdoor exhibit yard during warm weather months, or inside the Americas holding building during inclement weather or cold months. Close-toed shoes are required for this experience.
For: Ages 5+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $85, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 6 total persons)
Available: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Pet Prep 101
Adding a pet to your family is a big decision, and exotic pets require careful consideration. Responsible pet ownership begins with educating yourself about what all goes into providing that animal with lifelong care.
The Pet Prep program is designed to help families make informed and responsible pet choices. Meet with a knowledgeable animal caregiver and a real, live Animal Ambassador for the species you select. Ask questions to help decide if this pet is the right choice for you. Topics may include the animal's dietary and environmental requirements, what the daily care routine looks like here at the zoo (or might look like in your home), the species' social needs and typical temperament, safety concerns, and ethical sourcing considerations.
Most zoo animals do not make appropriate pets, so this program is limited to those species that are commonly kept as pets, are legal to own, and can be acquired ethically from captive breeding sources.
Whether you are an adult researching your next pet or a parent looking to guide your child through a first pet experience, this program is open to families of all kinds. We encourage households to participate together and children ages 5+ are welcome to participate in animal interactions and discussions. To maintain program quality, we limit participation to household groups of up to 2 adults and 4 children per appointment.
Eligible animals include:
- Leopard gecko
- Bearded dragon
- Small snake
- Chinchilla
- Guinea pig
- Rat
- Rabbit
- Parrot
- Sugar glider
- Turtle
For: Ages 5+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $35 per household, includes 2 adults and up to 4 children (same day zoo admission included)
Available: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Wallaby
Hop on over for an up-close encounter with one of the Zoo's wallabies! Participants will have the chance to meet and touch one of our Ambassador wallabies, and learn about this fascinating species from the Land Down Under. This program takes place in either the Education Center or the Wallaby Walkabout yard, depending on weather and other availability factors. A feeding opportunity is also included.
For: Ages 8+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $75, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: varies seasonally
Wild Encounter: Tamandua
Making friends with an anteater might not be on everyone's bucket list - but it should be! Digger, the Zoo's resident tamandua (or lesser anteater) is a fascinating animal. Participants in this encounter will meet Digger for an enrichment delivery session. Watch him play with (and tear apart) his new toys and slurp up a favorite snack. A touching opportunity is included. This encounter takes place in an outdoor exercise yard and is weather-dependent.
For: Ages 5+ years.
Program duration: approx. 30 minutes
Fee: $65, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: April-October, late mornings and afternoons
Gift Vouchers Now Available!
Looking to give the gift of experience to someone you love? Purchase Wild Encounter Gift Vouchers for a specific animal encounter to the sloth, porcupine, or wallaby lover in your life! Your recipient can redeem their gift voucher like cash to schedule their encounter at their convenience.
Not sure what they'd love? Zoo EDbucks Gift Certificates are also available in multiple denominations to allow your loved one to choose from any of our great education program including Wild Encounters, youth classes and camps, birthday parties and more. Some exclusions apply, see our registration portal for details or contact us at zooeducation@lafayette.in.gov.