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 may be permitted, with guidance from Zoo staff members.
To make a reservation request, visit our online registration portal. Click on the Zoo Birthday Parties & Special Experiences tab to send an appointment request or visit the Gifts for Zoo Lovers tab to purchase a gift voucher redeemable at a later date. Contact us at zooeducation@lafayette.in.gov with any questions!
Wild Encounter: Opossum
Do you love opossums? We do too! They're arguably the most adorable of our Indiana wildlife neighbors, surprisingly beneficial, plus they have pockets! Participants will learn how unique and special these often misunderstood animals are, and the best ways to help injured and orphaned wildlife. Touching and feeding opportunities are generally included. This encounter 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: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Armadillo
You'll have a ball meeting one of the Zoo's resident three-banded armadillos. A fascinating and friendly species from South America, these tiny transformers will show off their incredible defense strategy, as well as their other amazing adaptations. The perfect mix of familiar and exotic, armadillos make for a memorable special experience! Touching and feeding opportunities are generally included. This encounter takes place in the DeFouw Education Center.
For: Ages 3+ 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: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Penguin
Go behind-the-scenes in Penguin Cove to learn about the Zoo's African penguin colony. Chat with a Penguin keeper and get the inside scoop on how we care for these iconic and highly endangered birds. Your visit includes an up-close and personal encounter with one of our penguins. Touching opportunities are available at the penguin's discretion, so they cannot be guaranteed. These encounters are available seasonally (spring through fall) and capacity is limited.
For: Ages 12+ years.
Program duration: approx. 45 minutes
Fee: $300, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $50 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: varies by date - April-October only
Please contact the Zoo Education Department at zooeducation@lafayette.in.gov to inquire about availability.
Wild Encounter: Iguana
New for 2026!
A perfect program for those who enjoy lounging in a sun beam. Meet Columbian Park Zoo’s largest lizard, the green iguana. Find out what makes iguanas so special, with the loveable Mushu! Participants will have the chance to meet and touch our ambassador iguana and learn about this fascinating species.
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: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Porcupine
Meet Polk, the Zoo's North American Porcupine. Participants in this encounter will observe a training session, see their prickly quills up close, and even touch the porcupine (carefully) with handler assistance. 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: $85, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
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: $100, includes you and one guest (same day zoo admission included)
Additional participants: $25 each (max 4 total persons)
Available: daily 10:00-4:00pm
Wild Encounter: Patagonian Mara
New for 2026!
Meet Timmy our Patagonian mara, a capybara relative found in the grasslands of South America. This unique species is sure to wow a wildlife lover. Meet this fascinating animal, observe a training session, and learn how the mara is an Eco-Engineer. Touching and feeding opportunities are generally included. This encounter takes place in the DeFouw Education Center.
For: Ages 8+ 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: 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 the Wallaby Walkabout yard. 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, only available before 10am during the Zoo's open season
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: $100, 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.
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: prairie dog, tree frogs, tenrec, snake, or other lizards. Sorry, the river otters, monkeys and bald eagle are not eligible for education programs.