Due to the inclement weather, the Utica Zoo will be closed Monday, February 17th.
The Zoo will re-open on the 18th.
All Animal Experiences must be booked two weeks in advance. Dates are opened a few months at a time – check back regularly for openings!
Animal Encounters last approximately 30 minutes and are overseen by a member of our Animal Care Staff who can answer all of your questions. All encounter sales are final. Encounters may be rescheduled no less than 48 hours in advance of the encounter date.
Admission is included with all Animal Experiences.
At least one adult 18 and over must be present during the experience.
All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Some encounters will require all participants to wear PPE including face masks and nitrile gloves.
For questions, contact encounters@uticazoo.org
Get up close to our White-Handed Gibbon family! Feed them their favorite snacks and learn about their wonderful adaptations.
Starting at $300 | Up to 4 People | 8 Years +
*PPE required and will be provided.
Go behind-the-scenes and get up close to our Red Pandas, Mei Lin and Khairo. Feed them their favorite treats and learn about the red panda conservation status. Please note that this is our most popular encounter and may need to be booked several months in advance. Dates are opened a few months at a time – check back regularly for openings!
Starting at $250 | Up to 4 People | 12 Years +
*PPE required and will be provided.
Get up close to some of our carnivores, the African Painted Dogs! This encounter consists of a feeding done by the keeper, a private keeper talk, and an enrichment which guests may be allowed to assist with creating.
Starting at $200 | Up to 4 People | 10 Years +
*PPE required and will be provided.
Get up close to our the Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra! Feed them their favorite snacks and go behind-the-scenes in their barn!
Starting at $150 | Up to 4 People | 8 Years +
Get a closer look at the Utica Zoo’s largest animals while feeding him his favorite snacks and learning from our Keepers!
Starting at $75 | Up to 4 People | 8 Years +
Get a chance to feed our Nigerian Dwarf Goats right inside their exhibit! Perfect for young children and families.
Starting at $50 | Up to 4 People | 8 Years +
Our Ambassador/Education animals play a special role in telling the stories of their wild counterparts. Meet our animals up close and hear their stories.
Starting at $30 | Up to 4 People | All Ages
*Admission is not included.
Purchase the perfect gift: a gift card with a value of your choosing and no expiration date!
This gift card is only good for purchasing items from our website, such as Animal Encounters. It is not good for purchases for general admission, memberships, gift shop purchases, or concessions.
*for groups of 10 or more, ask our ticket window about our discounted “group rate”*
The Zoo will re-open on the 18th.