VIP ENCOUNTERS
NOW MORE TIME!
Spend 90 minutes with our keepers getting up close and personal with our animals - a fun way to help fund the Oregon Zoo and its programs. Ages 14 and up.
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Zoo members $85
Non-members $100
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 Elephant Encounter
Saturday, June 19
Bring a whole new meaning to “wash behind your ears.” Join the elephant keepers as one of their charges gets a bath. You may even get to grab a brush and do some scrubbing! Come prepared for some big splashes.
Seal & Sea Lion Encounter
Saturday, August 14
See what is happening with seals (and sea lions). Join the keepers to see what it really takes to care for very large marine mammals. See some of the challenges our animals face in captivity and what their wild relatives face in the wild. Meet Gus, Julius and Mira, up close; even have a chance to toss them an icy treat!
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BEHIND-THE-SCENES ENCOUNTERS
Each one-hour program includes time with Zoo educators and keeper staff. Go behind the scenes and discover what it really takes to care for our animals. Ages 12 and up.
10:00 - 11 a.m.
(unless noted)
Zoo members $34
Non-members $40
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 Bird Encounter Saturday
June 5
Come learn about our feathered friends. Learn what it takes to care for animals smaller than your hand and as tall as a person. Get a chance to see some of our most colorful and energetic residents close up and give them their morning treats.
Family Farm Preview Encounter Sunday
June 6
See what’s new on the farm. Be one of the first people to meet our new pettable residents, and try out some of our new hands-on activities. Learn how the farm has been designed to connect people and animals in a fun and interactive way.
Feline Encounter
Saturday, July 10
Tigers and leopards and bears, oh my? No bears, but a chance to get up-close to a few really big cats. Join keepers as they hide treats for our feline friends. Learn how important it is to keep these beautiful animals mentally and physically active. NOTE: special time 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Sea Otter Encounter
Sunday, July 25
Help us try to outsmart the sea otters. Help make enrichment puzzles for our clever furry friends. Learn some of the challenges of caring for animals with very curious minds and very agile paws. Discover how natural curiosity can help and hurt otters in the wild.
Wolf Encounter
Saturday, July 31
Visit with the Zoo's pack. Learn some of the similarities wolves share with your dog. You'll also discover some of the BIG differences from Fido. Watch as keepers join the pack, and how they use their "alpha" position to help take care of the animals. You'll even get to help hide some choice treats around the exhibit, then sit back and watch the activity.
Eagle Canyon Encounter
Sunday, August 8
Get a special peek at the Zoo's newest exhibit. Get a chance to see everything it takes to keep our salmon stream running. Learn how we are getting predators (bald eagles) and prey (kokanee salmon) to live in the same exhibit. Come and explore a new look for an old watershed.
Elephant Painting Encounter
Sunday, August 22 - FULL
What do Rembrandt and Rama have in common? They are both painters! Come watch a master in action. See how keepers are using painting as enrichment for our elephants. Watch as Rama creates a mural - you'll even get to take a piece home (frame not included).
Penguin Encounter
Sunday, September 12
Explore the penguinarium and learn all about our feathered friends. Discover why the Oregon Zoo has such a successful breeding program and see the youngsters born this spring. Meet some of our birds and join them for a fishy snack.
Grizzly Encounter
Saturday, September 18
How do you keep one the largest carnivores in North America active? Environmental enrichment is the key. You can help keepers keep our grizzly mentally and physically active by hiding treats around the exhibit. Then stand back and watch what happens!
Polar Bear Encounter
Sunday, September 26
Why are polar bears considered marine mammals? Join us and find out. Discover how the lives of these bears are different from other bears. You'll also have a chance to help keepers prepare bear-size toys for our arctic natives.
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FAMILY ENCOUNTERS
NEW!
This new behind-the-scenes opportunity is for children 8-13 years of age with an adult. These special experiences will explore how our animals live and how we take care of them at the Oregon Zoo.
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Zoo members:
$50 / 2 persons
$25 for each
additional person
Non-members:
$60 / 2 persons
$30 for each
additional person
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 Penguin Family Encounter
Sunday, July 18
Penguins are more than well-dressed birds; they are birds that "fly" underwater. You have a chance to learn about our penguins and how the keepers take care of them. You'll even have a chance to meet Mochica, the penguin with personality.
River Otter Family Encounter
Sunday, August 15
Otters really know how to have a good time. Join in the fun and help the keepers build puzzles for our otters to work on. After you hide some tasty treats, you can stand back and watch the fun begin.
Elephant Family Encounter
Saturday, September 18
Even little elephants are really BIG! Have a chance to visit Chendra, our littlest elephant, and her roommates. Learn about what it is like to grow up in a family of elephants, how they play, what they eat and how they learn. Join us; we'll have tons of fun!
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