Go Behind the Scenes with
Audubon’s New Wild Encounters!
Available Encounters
Alpaca Palooza
Join one of our Zookeepers for an up-close adventure with Bonito and the rest of the herd with an opportunity to feed the group their favorite snacks!
Black Bear Bonanza
During this exclusive experience, guests will join our 3 black bears on their back patio in the Louisiana Swamp and learn more about their overall care, training and enrichment.
Butterfly First Flight
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature's delicate wonders with our enchanting butterfly release.
Jammin' with Jaguars
Jaguars are the most sacred animals of Mayan lore. Go behind the Mayan ruins in Jaguar Jungle and meet Reina or Valerio to learn more about jaguars.
Orangutan Family Fun
Our social orangutans love meeting new people and are ready for you to come say hi! Meet us in Asia for a rare encounter you won't forget. Go behind-the-scenes, feed the orangutans fruits and vegetables on skewer sticks, and learn about enrichment, conservation, and Palm Oil threats.
Maya Snorkel
Come face-to-mask with over 30 species of marine life including cownose rays and hundreds of beautiful tropical fish.
Giant Tortoise Adventure
Stick your neck out and enjoy a leisurely snack break with some of our Zoo’s oldest residents and learn all about their fascinating natural history. Trust us you won’t want to rush this one. OPENING THURSDAY, MAY 2ND!
Penguin Party
OPEN SEASONALLY - CHECK BACK!
Zoo & Aquarium & Insectarium
Wild Encounters FAQs
Alpaca Palooza Encounter
Saturdays - 2:00 PM, Sundays - 11:30AM
Age Limit: 4 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 8 guests
Black Bear Bonanza
Thursdays & Saturdays - 10:30 AM
Age Limit: 12 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 6 guests
Giant Tortoise Adventure Encounter
Thursdays - 11:00 AM
Age Limit: 6 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 6 guests
Jammin' with Jaguars Encounter
Fridays & Sundays - 2:00 PM
Age Limit: 12 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 4 guests
Orangutan Family Fun Encounter
Wednesdays & Sundays - 2:30 PM
Age Limit: 6 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 4 guests
Maya Snorkel Adventure
Fridays & Saturdays - 12:30 PM
Age Limit: 8 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 4 guests
Penguin Party
Fridays & Saturdays - 9:30 AM
Age Limit: 6 years and older (children 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Capacity: 8 guests
Butterfly First Flight
Daily - 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM*
Age Limit: Any Age
Capacity: 25 guests per day
*Open daily when available. Not available online.
Please plan to meet at the Main Lobby Information Booth facing the gift shop 15 minutes before your encounter. See red X on map below.
Please plan to meet at the Information Boot 30 minutes before encounter start time.
Admission is included in all of our Wild Encounter ticket packages. All prices listed are per person. One admission per ticket.
Wild Encounters that take place at the Zoo include Zoo admission. Wild Encounters that take place at the Aquarium include Aquarium admission.
Certain encounters provide a discount for Members. Please refer to the pricing section of your selected encounter for pricing details.
You will be indoors during the Aquarium and Insectarium encounters, so comfortable clothes are suggested.. Closed toe shoes are required.
If you are more than 5 minutes late, please call our Wild Encounters team at 1-800-774-7394. If you arrive later than 15 minutes, your encounter will automatically be canceled.
When working with animals, we operate on their schedule. If for whatever reason we can not do the encounter at the scheduled time, we will reach out to reschedule or refund your experience.
