2024 Encounters
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![giant anteater walking through grass outside]()
Giant Anteater EncounterThursdays, 11am
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![winnie the elephant dusting herself at dusk]()
Elephant EncounterFridays, 12:45pm
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Elephant Bath ExperienceThursdays, 9:45am
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Gorilla EncounterThursdays, 10:45am
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Galápagos Tortoise EncounterSundays and Tuesdays, 10am
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Children's Zoo Farm EncounterSundays, 10am
Join us as you step behind the scenes to see one of our famous Pantanal residents up close and personal. Don’t be afraid to get messy as you help our keepers feed our anteaters one of their favorite treats!
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our hoofstock barn
- Tour the kitchens to see how our keepers provide daily care for our animals
- Have an opportunity to feed an anteater using one of our specially designed puzzle feeders
$125 Member/$150 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to 6 people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
- Please note: This Encounter involves feeding our Anteaters one of their favorite treats- either avocado or peanut butter. If you or a member of your party have a food allergy, please be aware.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
- Not wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.
Get a first-row seat to see how keepers build relationships with our amazing elephants! You will have an opportunity to feed, hear stories about our herd, and touch one of these amazing creatures with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
- Tour the barn to see how our keepers provide daily care for our animals
- Have an opportunity to meet one of our adult elephants up-close with a touching and/or feeding experience included
$195 Member/$220 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to eight people per encounter. If you have fewer than eight in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the eight persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
- Wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.
Here’s your chance to experience what it’s like to bathe an elephant! Head behind the scenes to help scrub down one of our elephants with a photo opportunity you can share with your friends and family.
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our Elephant Barn
- Have an opportunity to scrub down one of our adult elephants during their bath time
- Note: You may get wet during this experience. We recommend wearing close-toe shoes and clothing that you don’t mind getting damp
$225 Member/$250 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Lifting large brushes
- May get wet
- Wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739.
Step into our treehouse and get a up close view into our gorilla’s world. Spend time feeding and interacting with our great apes all while learning about how our global partners are protecting gorillas in the wild.
During this experience you will:
- Go behind the scenes at our Gorilla Treehouse
- Have an opportunity to feed our Gorillas using a special port that is built into the wall
- Interact with Zookeepers and hear stories about our amazing Gorilla family
- Note: All interactions with Gorillas happen behind a plexiglass window
Required: All guests must properly wear a mask during the entire animal experience for the safety of our other guests, staff and animals.
$65 Member/$90 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Ability to go up and down stairs, hand rails available
- Elevator available if needed
- Wheelchair accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739
Take the perfect tortoise selfie when you’re up close with some of the Zoo’s longest-living residents, the Galápagos tortoises. During this experience, you’ll have meet our Galapagos tortoises, learning all about these special residents while feeding them their favorite treats.
Pro tip: Feet are friends, not food. Our tortoises might confuse red shoes for treats, so it’s best to leave your red shoes at home for this one (yes, we’re serious). Closed-toe shoes are required.
Note: These experiences are available April – October.
$65 Member/$90 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for ages five years and older. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to just four people per encounter. If you have fewer than four in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the four persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 20 – 30 minutes
- Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
- Bending, kneeling and/or crouching for short periods of time
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739
Learn all about world class animal care when you visit with our animals at the Children’s Zoo Farm. You will have an opportunity to feed and touch Zamir the zebu, get up-close to Fiesta and Yzma the llamas, and get a firsthand look at how animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do.
During this experience you will:
- Visit our Children’s Zoo barn
- Have the opportunity to get up-close with several of our Children’s Zoo farm residents: Zamir, Fiesta, and more
- Learn from our Zookeepers about all that goes into caring for these amazing animals
$65 Member/$90 Non-member (per person)
Encounter Details:
- All day Zoo admission included for you to explore the Zoo before and after your Animal Encounter.
- This encounter is for all ages. If you have someone under the age of 13, an adult will need to be registered with them.
- This encounter is limited to just six people per encounter. If you have fewer than six in your party, you may be joined by other registrants, not to exceed the six persons total.
- For the safety and well-being of our animal residents, there is no flash photography allowed in this area. Don’t worry though, we have a special photo moment opportunity planned for you during your encounter that you can share with friends and family.
Accessibility:
- Walking and standing for 45 minutes
- Unpaved surfaces including loose dirt and gravel
- Bending, kneeling and/or crouching for short periods of time
- Wheelchair Accessible
We are a Zoo for All; if you have an accommodation request, please contact us at education@houstonzoo.org or at 713-533-6739
Accommodations and Accessibility
Our goal is to set up all participants for success. To help us provide the best possible experience, please inform us of all special considerations prior to participation. This may include information on allergies, accessibility concerns, as well as any other special needs.
The following Encounters are wheelchair accessible:
- Elephant Encounter
- Elephant Bath Encounter
- Gorilla Encounter
- Children’s Zoo Farm Encounter
Please contact us prior to registration at education@houstonzoo.org or 713-533-6739 to make an accommodation request.
Gift Certificates
Give the gift of an Animal Encounter this holiday season with a gift certificate for one of our experiences. Gift certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase and allow your recipient to select an available date that works with their schedule. Upon purchase, gift certificates are e-mailed to you in a PDF for easy printing. For more information, please visit our page here:
