Animal Encounters
In light of COVID-19, the Lehigh Valley Zoo has implemented guidelines and requirements to provide safe programs for our guests, staff, and animals. Please fill out a program request form to receive these policies via email. Any questions or concerns can be emailed to edureservations@lvzoo.org.
Looking for animal encounters that you can enjoy from the comfort of home? Click below to learn about our Virtual Programming!
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!
Please note: In light of COVID-19, extra precautions are being taken for the safety of our guests, staff and animals. Masks are REQUIRED for all participants in animal encounters. Touching of our animals is not allowed. Any guests unable or unwilling to follow these requirements will be asked to stay outside of the animal’s area, and proceeding with the program is at the discretion of the keeper or educator.
➫ What is a close encounter?
▼ Click here to find out! Show Less
➫ Why book an encounter?
▼ Click here to find out! These programs are also fun, educational, and interactive for guests! They are a unique opportunity to get up close and connect with an animal. These programs also make great gifts for the animal lovers you know! Show Less
➫ How do I book an encounter?
▼ Click here to find out! Show Less
Request a Raccoon, Sloth, Penguin, Crane, or Birds of Prey program
For more information on raccoon, sloth, penguin, birds of prey, or crowned crane encounters, email edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 ext. 228 or 229.
Request a Giraffe Painting or Otter Feeding program
➤ Raccoon Encounter
Want to learn more about one of our native mammals? Come spend time with our ambassador raccoon! This misunderstood species is curious and loves to explore. Participants in this encounter program will get the opportunity to meet our inquisitive ambassador raccoon, while learning about their role in our ecosystem.
During this 40 minute program participants get the opportunity to learn about the individual that lives at the zoo, the species, and their natural history. The participants may get the opportunity to feed the raccoon 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 in the habitat. No matter the chosen activities, you can count on an interactive, unique experience with an incredible animal.
We cannot 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 of the animal’s behavior that day. A typical raccoon encounter does get to feed the animal.
Touching of the raccoon is not permitted at any point during this encounter program.
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 Raccoon Encounter is priced based on the number of participants you bring. The number range of participants and prices are set. Payment is due at the time you make your reservation.
- For 1 to 4 participants the price is $199.00
Gift certificates available!
➤ Otter Feeding Encounter
Have you ever wanted to have a one on one interaction with our North American River Otters, Naya and Luani? Then book your own private encounter with them today! You will be invited to come to the zoo before hours and assist an otter keeper with preparing the otter exhibit for the day. You will get to create and instruct the keepers on where to place enrichment on the island, and then help the keepers shift out the otters! You will then have the exciting opportunity to throw the otters their breakfast fish and watch them dive and swim as you walk, skip, or run around the outside of the moat! To commemorate the encounter, keepers will give you a very special painting made by one of our amazing otters! Each participant will have the opportunity to feed and interact with the Otters during the 20-30 minute experience!
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 twice a week at 9:15 AM.
- A basic encounter (for 1-6 people) costs $350.00, and includes admission to the zoo.
- Additional otter canvases may be purchased at $50.00 per painting.
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 otter encounter does get to enrich and feed the otters.
- Otters may be unexpectedly unavailable for the encounter due to severe/lightning storms, 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.
Gift certificates available!
➤ 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 3:30.
- 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
- Bookings are offered May through September and are weather dependent.
- 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.
➤ 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 four 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
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 encounter 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 and allow guests the opportunity to interact with the penguin using enrichment items. During this 30-40 minute program, be sure to take lots of pictures as our penguin waddles its way around you and into your heart.
We cannot 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.
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
Gift certificates available!
➤ Birds of Prey Encounter
*Birds of Prey Encounter is temporarily unavailable for booking.
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
Gift certificates available!
➤ West African Crowned Crane Encounter
Has life been dull? Then add some color to it by joining us for a connection program with our beautiful crane! During this program participants will get to meet our ambassador West African Crowned Crane.
This 40 minute program includes a presentation on our crane. The participants will have the opportunity to learn about this amazing bird while getting the unique experience to interact with them up close.
We cannot guarantee any specific activities due to the needs of our animal and the variability of their behavior. Our educators are experts in determining what is appropriate and doable based off of the animal’s behavior that day.
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 West African Crowned Crane 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
Gift certificates available!
➤ Fennec Fox Encounter
Do you or someone you know love canines? Then you should come meet the world’s smallest wild canine, a Fennec Fox! This encounter program is high energy and interactive. Bring some friends and family to enjoy our big-eared friend.
A fox encounter with Audi starts with an introduction where an educator will teach guests about him, his species, the natural history of his species, and the conservation issues they face in the wild. Educators may do a training session with the animal to show the behaviors our friend has learned. The majority of the 30 minute program is spent on the floor where guests can offer Audi his favorite enrichment toys, feed him his favorite insects, and possibly even be a part of the training! This unique program at the Lehigh Valley Zoo is an opportunity to get up close and playful with an elusive canine species. Don’t forget your cameras! He’s handsome.
There will be NO opportunity to touch the fox, and we cannot 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 on the animal’s behavior that day.
Requirements and Reservations
- All participants must be at least 6 years old and above 40” 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. This animal books up quickly, so be sure reach out as early as possible as more notice may be required.
Pricing
The number range of participants and prices are set. The price is total for up to 4 participants. Payment is due at the time of booking.
- For 1 to 4 participants the price is $199.00