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ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

By popular demand, WWA has added a new feature to our zoo - personal animal encounters! During these reserved sessions, our staff will guide you and your guests in a hands-on visit with many of our most-loved residents, including sloths, capybaras and baby kangaroos! And to truly make your Encounter an experience to remember, plan to book one of our two on-site homes for an incredibly unique get-away for your family. Read on for all the details!

Field Trips
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What is a Personal Animal Encounter?

  • A personalized 45 minute session with a zookeeper

  • Opportunity to visit with, feed and get up close interaction with a variety of selected animals

  • Guided entrance into the sloth and capybara enclosures

  • Photo and video opportunities 

  • You decide who will join your group, up to 4 people for the session price of $250

  • Opportunity to add up to two more people for an additional cost of $75 each

  • Minimum age for participants is 7 years old

  • Encounters will begin Friday, November 29, 2024 and will continue through Sunday, March 23, 2025

What to expect during the Encounter experience:

  • Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time to sign waivers and go over safety guidelines

  • Closed toed shoes must be worn by all participants

  • We will be indoors. No need to bundle up for the weather

  • Your encounter will start promptly at the top of the hour. No accommodations will be made for late arrivals

  • You will be able to pet, feed, and get up close to the sloths and capybaras 

  • Current animals include, but are not limited to: sloth, capybara, baby kangaroo, reptiles, and you might even get to feed a kookaburra! 

  • If safety guidelines are not followed, we reserve the right to end the session early

  • Available animals are subject to change without notice, although this is not common

  • You are going to have fun! Our zookeepers are pretty good at taking pictures. Let us help you capture these memories!

  • Shop our gift shop! Pick up a plush capybara or sloth to remember your visit

FAQ

  • Can I hold a sloth? Our sloths are used to human interaction via petting and hand feeding. You can even get right up next to them! But, physically holding a sloth is not something we allow our guests to do. 

  • My child is not quite 7 years old but is very respectful of animals. Will you make an exception? We get it! Our children have grown up around animals. While we love to share the love of animals with children, this experience brings you directly into the animals secure area and their safe place. For health and safety reasons, we ask that you respect the age guidelines. 

  • What if I have to cancel? We offer Payment Protection. For an additional fee, you can purchase this option and receive a refund should you become ill or unable to make your reservation. Please see ticketing page for exclusions.

  • Some of the people I originally signed up to join us cannot make it, can I bring someone else? Absolutely! As long as they are at least 7 years old and the amount of people you are bringing does not exceed the ticket level you have purchased. Waivers will be signed upon arrival. Remember, your base price covers 1-4 people. 

  • Can we go outside to visit the other animals? That area of the zoo is closed for the season. Only the main barn is open

  • I would like to talk to someone before I reserve a ticket. Absolutely! Please call the zoo office at 859-405-8065 and leave a message. Someone will get back to you shortly. Our office hours are limited but we check the messages often. You can also email us at wwazoooffice@gmail.com for a faster response.

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