Wild Connections: Animal Encounter Tours

“Have a totally ‘opossum’ time!”

Have you ever wondered what it takes to provide the best care for the animals at the Zoo? This Wild Connections tour takes you into our Animal Health Center Learning Zone and lets you meet an amazing ambassador! Hang out with Elmer the opossum and learn what it takes to be an animal caretaker — perfect for anyone interested in becoming a zookeeper, veterinarian, or zoologist!

“They’re not musical bongos, but they’ll make your heart sing!”

This Wild Connections tour takes you to Adventure Africa to go face-to-face with one of the Zoo’s most elusive antelopes, the Eastern bongo! Learn how the animals can benefit from a mixed-species habitat and see how the team works to maintain high-quality care for the animals they love. After you meet the bongos, you’ll love them too!

“Get to know the newest member of our caravan!”

This Wild Connections tour takes you behind the scenes with some of our furriest residents, the Bactrian camels — including male calf Baatar! You’ll see how big these amazing creatures are and how much of them is fluff. Learn all about these dexterously-lipped ruminants, touch some camel hair, and learn how the animal care team trains these gentle giants. Once you’ve experienced this, you’ll be “back”-trian. Don’t miss this exclusive, limited-time opportunity!

“A tour you will never forget!”

This Wild Connections tour takes you INTO the elephant habitat! Set up the elephant’s breakfast in the outdoor yard — you will get to decide where to place their food and then see how they use their unique adaptations to find it! You’ll learn about our three amazing elephants and how we provide the best possible care for them. Pack your trunk and come join us!

“Their antics will have you ‘giraffing’ out loud!”

This Wild Connections tour takes you up close with the Zoo’s tallest animals! Go nose-to-nose with the reticulated giraffes and learn how we care for these amazing longnecks. As you feed the herd an afternoon snack, you’ll learn how to protect these remarkable animals. Hear more about their behaviors, personalities, and why their necks are so long! You’ll be shocked to discover how gentle and graceful these giants are!

“Join us for an adventure that’s ‘otter this world!’”

This Wild Connections tour takes you to Modern Woodmen Otter Passage to learn how zookeepers care for the North American river otters. Venture below the habitat to see how the water filtration system works and watch the animal care team demonstrate how they train the otters to participate in their own healthcare. Finally, the team will present enrichment items, which stimulates and encourages the natural behaviors in these energetic animals. You’re in for an otterly good time!

“It’s a black-tie affair!”

Waddle over to experience this fish-filled Wild Connections tour! Our first stop is at the Herb & Nada Mahler Family Aviary, home to our cold-loving rockhopper and gentoo penguins, to learn about the special adaptations that make them so unique. Then, we head over to Penguins of the Pacific to see what it’s like to care for the Humboldt penguins. You will get to feed Houdini, Wallace, and the rest of the colony as they “fly” through the water!

“‘Meat’ these charismatic carnivores!”

This Wild Connections tour takes you behind the scenes of the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country to meet some of the coolest predators of the plains. Learn about what it takes to care for our cheetahs, serval, hyena, and lions. Then, you’ll go to the outdoor training area to participate in a training session with either the hyena or lions. It will be a roaring good time!

“A ‘paw’-some start to your day!”

Join us for this limited time Wild Connections tour that will take you behind the scenes to meet one of the fluffiest animals in the Zoo: the red pandas! “Dash” on down to our Red Panda habitat to feed our duo their breakfast snacks. On the way, learn about the care that goes into keeping these unique carnivores healthy and happy, as well as the important conservation work helping to keep them safe in their natural range. Then watch as they spend the morning pouncing, climbing, and playing in their home.

“Sleigh ‘hi’ to the reindeer!” 

Don’t miss your chance to meet our hooved friends before they fly to the North Pole! Migrate with us to the west end of the Zoo to learn what it takes to care for our reindeer pair. Get close enough to hear the click, click, click of their hooves and feel just how heavy their antlers really are! Then, help us feed Bean and Maeve, as you tell them if you have been naughty or nice this year!

“Get up close and personal with our cold-blooded friends!”

Join us on this Wild Connections tour to learn how the Aquatic & Reptile Center operates and meet some awesome animals! Climb above the Amazon River habitat to visit with the oldest animal at the Zoo, Onassis the Amazon River turtle, as well as several unique species of fish. You’ll see what it takes to keep a 55,000-gallon aquarium operating, learn about specialized diets for some of our most distinct species, and go above Lake Wisconsin to meet some radical reptiles!

“Feed our highest-flying friends!”

Take flight with the flock! Venture to the Herb & Nada Mahler Family Aviary to learn about caring for the unique and diverse residents in the building. Then, meet some of our most playful birds, the mustached Inca terns, and feed them some fish! Learn why their white feathers that resemble a mustache are so important and what you can do to help them thrive in their natural range.