Animal Encounters
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?
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➫ 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?
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Request a program
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➤ 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.
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 place their enrichment out on the island, and help 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
- Participants will have to have the ability to duck down to three feet to go onto the island. If modifications are needed, please call ahead to confirm.
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 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
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 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
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!
➤ 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
Gift certificates available!