Wild Encounters: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Go wild with up-close, behind-the-scenes animal encounters at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium!
Wild Encounters are sponsored by GEICO Military
- Guests must be 8 years of age or older.
- Guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Guests must bring a face mask and 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.
- At this time, we are unable to accommodate service animals during Wild Encounters.
- Tickets must be purchased online at least 24 hours in advance.
- If you or a group member have a special need or mobility need, please contact us in advance.
- All sales are final.
Encounters at the Zoo
Wild Encounters at the Zoo are 30 minutes long and can accommodate a group of up to five guests. Tickets include Zoo admission.
For health and safety during Wild Encounters, all guests, regardless of vaccination status, must bring a face mask and may be asked to wear the mask before entering animal areas. Guests may additionally be asked to wear gloves and/or perform a temperature check, provided by the Zoo.
Ambassador Animals
Meet some of our smaller, kid-friendly residents.
Fridays through Sundays
2 p.m.
$250 per group
Sharks
See where our sharks reside in the PPG Aquarium.
Tuesdays
2:30 p.m.
$250 per group
Elephants
Be the biggest fans of our biggest animals.
Fridays through Mondays
11 a.m.
$250 per group
Giraffes
Meet our giraffes and find out how the weather is up there.
Saturdays and Sundays
2 p.m.
$250 per group
Red Pandas
Go nose-to-whisker with these charming residents.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10 a.m.
$250 per group
Virtual Encounters
Virtual Wild Encounters include 15 interactive minutes with your selected animal and an animal care staff member via FaceTime or Zoom. Just purchase a Virtual Wild Encounter and email your contact information to wildencounters@pittsburghzoo.org. Tickets do not include Zoo admission.
Clouded Leopard Cubs | Virtual
The purr-fect virtual behind-the-scenes.
Wednesdays
2 p.m.
$125 per group
Pygmy Hippo | Virtual
A virtual experience with our water lover.
Tuesdays
11:30 a.m.
$125 per group
Kinkajou | Virtual
Virtually meet this tree-loving rainforest mammal.
Tuesdays and Thursdays
1 p.m.
$125 per group
International Conservation Center (ICC)
Wild Encounters at the International Conservation Center in Somerset, Pennsylvania are 30 minutes long and can accommodate a group of up to five guests. Tickets do not include Zoo admission.
International Conservation Center
Visit the Elephants of Somerset County
Fridays through Mondays
10 a.m. / 11 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 2 p.m.
$250 per group
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Give the gift of a behind-the-scenes Wild Encounter experience at the Zoo!