Wild Encounters 

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals representing over 600 species. This includes over 30 species of concern, which means their numbers are threatened, endangered, or even critically endangered. When you participate in a Wild Encounter, you not only get up close and personal with these amazing creatures, but you also help the Zoo support our animals. Go behind the scenes and learn about the personalities that make them unique, see how they live, and how we care for them.

Interested in a Wild Encounter at the International Conservation Center in Somerset County? View the ICC encounter section below!

PURCHASE A zoo ENCOUNTER

To purchase a ICC Encounter, click the ticket button in the ICC section.

PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCOUNTERS AND RULES BELOW BEFORE BOOKING

Aquarium Adventure – this encounter is done for the season

Shadow a Zoo keeper in the Aquarium to see what it’s like to work with marine life from around the world. Aquarium Adventure animals will change daily, and may not be the same each time. You may meet a shark or explore with the stingrays – each encounter will be a different experience!

Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m.

New dates release Spring 2024.

 

Pricing

  • 2 people: $200
  • 3 people: $250
  • 4 people: $300
  • 5 people: $350
Ambassador Animals

Meet the Zoo’s most popular animal ambassadors up close. A variety of animals, representing more than 30 different species, are featured in the Zoo’s educational programs. A member of our knowledgeable education staff will guide your experience. Animals may include kinkajou, fennec foxes, or ball pythons. Specific animals will vary for each encounter.

Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.

 

pricing

  • 2 people: $200
  • 3 people: $250
  • 4 people: $300
  • 5 people: $350

GIRAFFES – This encounter is sold out for the season

Want to meet the world’s tallest mammal? Get ready to look up to the sky during this amazing encounter experience. Learn all about the giraffes we have here at the Zoo and important conservation information!

New dates will be released in Spring 2024.

PRICING

  • 2 people: $250
  • 3 people: $300
  • 4 people: $350
  • 5 people: $400

CHEETAHS

Meet the world’s fastest land mammal! Get ready to experience cheetahs like you have never experienced before. Learn all about the ones we have here at the Zoo and important conservation information!

Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.

PRICING

  • 2 people: $300
  • 3 people: $350
  • 4 people: $400
  • 5 people: $450
  • 6 people: $500

ANTEATERS

Get ready to experience the anteaters like you have never experienced before. Learn all about the ones we have here at the Zoo and important conservation information!

 Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

PRICING

  • 2 people: $250
  • 3 people: $300
  • 4 people: $350

PENGUINS

Get ready to experience penguins like you have never experienced before. Learn all about the ones we have here at the Zoo and important conservation information!

Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Sold out for the season.

PRICING

  • 2 people: $300
  • 3 people: $350
  • 4 people: $400
  • 5 people: $450
  • 10 people: $600

Penguins on Parade Grand Marshal Experience 

Help lead our feathered friends on an exciting journey through the Zoo to meet new friends! This exclusive experience lets you get up-close and personal with some of our best-dressed birds during our Penguins on Parade event. Learn more here.

Questions? Interested in virtual options? Contact us at wildencounters@pittsburghzoo.org

INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION CENTER WILD ENCOUNTER

See elephants like you never have before! Join us for this new Wild Encounter opportunity at the International Conservation Center located in Somerset County. This exciting 45-minute experience will include a discussion about the elephants at the ICC, an up-close elephant training observation, and a Q&A session!

These encounters will run weekly through the winter and early spring on Thursdays and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Experiences could be canceled, refunded, or rescheduled due to weather conditions.

Tours are semi-private experiences. If the entire six slots are not booked with your reservation then additional spots will be available to other members of the public.

PRICING

2 people: $399

3 people: $549

4 people: $699

5 people: $849

6 people: $999

BOOK AN ICC ENCOUNTER

ZOO AND ICC ENCOUNTER RULES

  • All participants are recommended to have COVID-19 vaccinations and must have a face mask in case it is required.
  • All participants must be 10 years of age or older for ICC encounters as well as the Penguin on Parade Grand Marshal experience. All participants must be 8 years of age for the other Zoo encounters.
  • All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • All participants should wear closed-toe shoes.
  • Extra health and safety measures, such as gloves and/or temperature checks, may be required during your encounter and will be provided by the Zoo or the ICC if necessary.
  • Touching the animals without explicit direction from a Zoo or ICC staff member is not permitted.
  • At this time, we are unable to accommodate service animals during Wild Encounters.
  • Tickets must be purchased online at least 72 hours in advance.
  • If you or a group member have a special need or mobility need, please contact us in advance.
  • Sold online only. All sales are final.
  • Available Wild Encounters are subject to change.
  • All Zoo groups will first meet the tour guide at Education Complex lobby and all ICC groups will meet at the ICC Lodge.