Close Encounters of the Wild Kind

Close Encounters are interactive private programs scheduled with certain animals in the Zoo and an educator or keeper at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. We offer these programs upon reservation all year long (giraffe experiences offered seasonally). Encounters programs are fun, educational, and interactive!

Book your program during Zoo hours and receive admission for your participants to the Lehigh Valley Zoo for the entire day!

➫ What is a close encounter?

➫ Why book an encounter?

➫ How do I book an encounter?

➤ Giraffe Painting Encounter

Enjoy a private encounter with Murphy, the 15.5 foot Masai giraffe! You now have the opportunity to have a one-on-one interaction with a giraffe keeper and enjoy a special keeper chat on the private lower giraffe feeding deck. You will participate in helping Murphy ‘paint’ a canvas and take home this one-of-a-kind keepsake! The guest of honor will hold an art canvas while Murphy creates a masterpiece using a special paint brush.

Each participant will have the opportunity to feed the giraffe during the 20-30 minute experience!

*Please note, there is no petting the giraffe during this encounter.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants must be at least 5 years old
• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least one week in advance to your desired date

Pricing

• Experiences are limited to Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10:00 and 3:00.
• A basic encounter (for 1-6 people) costs $350.00 and includes one painted canvas.
• Up to two additional canvases may be purchased for an additional $50.00 each.

Policies

• We cannot guarantee any specific activities due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our keepers are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical giraffe encounter does get to feed and paint with the giraffe.
• The giraffe may be unexpectedly unavailable for the encounter due to inclement weather, including storms or cold temperatures, or the welfare needs of the animals. See below for cancellation policy.
• Reservations that are cancelled due to inclement weather or the needs of the animals will be rebooked as possible. If rebooking is impossible, a refund will be issued.

For more information and booking, email nmcculler@lvzoo.org or mlint@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 ext. 225 or ext. 244.

➤ Sloth Encounter

Ever wonder how it would feel to hang around with a sloth? Come slow down your day the sloth way with Bean, our Linneaus’ Two-toed Sloth. Don’t forget your cameras for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

An animal connection program with Bean is unique and the most popular connection program we offer. A connection with Bean lasts 40 minutes and is a private encounter with an educator, the animal, and your participants. The program consists of interactive experiences and starts with an educator giving a 10 to 15 minute presentation on the species, Bean himself, and the challenges these animals face in the wild. After the presentation the educator “hangs Bean up” on his favorite perch and participants come up to enrich him. A typical sloth connection will enrich Bean by feeding him his favorite foods and allowing him to climb around on his perch.

We cannot guarantee you will get to touch the sloth or guarantee any specific activities due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical sloth connection does get to touch and feed the sloth.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants must be at least 5 years old
• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance to your desired date

Pricing

The Sloth Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due two weeks after you make your reservation.

• For 1 to 4 participants the price is $400.00
• For 5 to 8 participants the price is $475.00

For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 247 or 228.
Gift certificates available!

➤ Penguin Encounter

Want to get up close to an endangered species of penguin? Waddle on over to the Lehigh Valley Zoo to meet one of our African Penguins! During this interactive private connection you’ll learn about these remarkable birds, discuss conservation issues they face, and interact with the animal.

A penguin connection starts with a 10 to 15 minute presentation with a penguin and two educators where you learn about the species, why they are endangered, and about the individuals (they may be little birds but they have BIG personalities). Next, we move the group and animal to the floor to enrich them with their favorite items. Penguins typically like shiny things (like the fish they eat) so we use items like that to get their attention and exploring their environment. The program is 40 minutes long. Have fun and take lots of pictures as our penguins waddle their way around you on the floor and into your heart.

We cannot guarantee you will get to touch a penguin or guarantee any specific activities due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical penguin connection does get to touch the penguin.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants must be at least 5 years old and above 40” tall
• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance to your desired date

Pricing

The Penguin Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due two weeks after you make your reservation.

• For 1 to 4 participants the price is $400.00
• For 5 to 8 participants the price is $475.00

For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 247 or 228.
Gift certificates available!

➤ Birds of Prey Encounter

Do you or someone you know have a fascination with Birds of Prey? Do you know someone whooooo, whooooo would love to be up close to an owl? If you answered yes to either of those questions then this is the perfect program for you.

During a Bird of Prey connection program you’ll be introduced to three birds which may include a Red tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Screech Owl, American Kestrel, or Barn Owl. Bring along your cameras to catch moments you won’t need a zoom to capture.

A typical Bird of Prey Connection includes a 20 minute presentation on three owls, their habitat, why they live at the zoo with us, and the special adaptations these secretive animals possess. The guests will get a photo opportunity with each Bird of Prey and may even get the opportunity to handle an owl on a gloved hand. The program lasts 40 minutes.

We cannot guarantee you will get to handle the animal due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical Bird of Prey connection does get to handle the bird.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants must be at least 10 years old
• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance to your desired date

Pricing

The Birds of Prey Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due two weeks after you make your reservation.

• For 1 to 4 participants the price is $199.00

For more information, please contact our education department:
For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 247 or 228.
Gift certificates available!

➤ Birds of a Feather Encounter

Has life been dull? Then add some color to it by joining us for a connection program with our exotic birds. During this program participants will get to meet three different species of exotic birds. From West African savannas to the coastal forests of South America, this program will take you for a colorful look around the world.

This 40 minute program includes a presentation of each of the three bird species, which may include a West African Crowned Crane, African Grey Parrot, and Sun Conures. The participants will have the opportunity to learn about these amazing birds while getting the unique experience to interact with them up close. A typical connection even gets the opportunity to let a Sun Conure perch on their hand and take photos.

We cannot guarantee you will get to handle the animal due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical Bird of a Feather connection does get to handle the bird.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants must be at least 7 years old and at least 48” tall
• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance to your desired date

Pricing

The Birds of a Feather Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due two weeks after you make your reservation.

• For 1 to 4 participants the price is $199.00

For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 247 or 228.
Gift certificates available!

➤ Armadillo Encounter

Come have a ball with our Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo! This is the only species that can roll completely up into a ball! These high energy mammals are unique and lots of fun! Participants in this connection program will get the opportunity to meet a species headed towards extinction because of disruptions to their natural habitat and poaching.  Come learn about what our zoo is doing to help them!

During this 40 minute program participants get the opportunity to learn about the individual that lives at the zoo (they may be small but they have BIG personalities), the species, and their natural history. The participants may get the opportunity to touch the armadillo and take pictures with the individual. The majority of the program consists of an enrichment session with the animal, educator, and guests. This may include being a part of a training session or interacting with the animal and its favorite enrichment toys on the floor. No matter the chosen activities you can count on an interactive, unique experience with an incredible animal.

We cannot guarantee you will get to touch the armadillo or guarantee any specific activities due to the needs of our animals and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off the animal’s behavior that day. A typical armadillo connection does get to touch the animal.

Requirements and Reservations

• Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance to your desired date

Pricing

The Armadillo Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due two weeks after you make your reservation.

• For 1 to 4 participants the price is $199.00
• For 5 to 8 participants the price is $274.00

For more information, please contact our education department at edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 and dial extension 247 or 228.
Gift certificates available!