Animal Encounters
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Meet our Animals
Meet our Capybaras
Enter the world of our Capybara during your very own private Capybara Encounter.
These good tempered and gregarious animals will delight you during your time with them.
An Education staff member will be with you during your entire encounter.
Please call 512.695.3021 to check date availability and schedule; reservations can fill up months in advance.
Payment must be made to secure your spot.
Capybara encounter information and policies:
Availability:
Private Capybara Encounters are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:00pm, with only one encounter booked per day. Encounters are only booked through the phone number listed above; no online reservations can be made.
Pricing:
The cost of your encounter is $60 per person.
We accept Master Card, Visa and Dicsover
Who can participate?
Encounters are limited to a minimum of 2 persons and maximum of 4 persons, all at least 10 years of age or older.
We will provide gloves for guests to wear. Gloves are required for your entire experience.
How long is this encounter?
You will enjoy 25-30 minutes with our Capybaras.
Where do I check in?
Please check in at our Gift Shop at least 10 minutes before your scheduled encounter at noon to review and sign a liability release.
Can I take pictures?
Guests will not be allowed to take photos/videos. This is for your safety!
A member of our Education staff will be taking photographs or videos for you. We ask that one guest per group provide a smart phone.
Please do not be late!
You will want to spend as much time as possible with Diego, Enrique, and Olivia! Arrivals later than 10 minutes after the scheduled encounter time of 12:00pm will result in cancellation of your encounter and no refunds will be given.
*Cancellation or rescheduling of an encounter must be done at least 5 days prior to the scheduled encounter. Refunds will be provided only if the encounter must be canceled due to inclement weather as determined by Austin Zoo management.
**This activity has been authorized by our Board Certified Zoological Medicine Veterinarian.
Meet our Galapagos Tortoises!
Are you ready to have an up close and personal encounter with our Galapagos Tortoises?
These gentle giants love eating lettuce right from your hand, supervised by one of our Education staff members.
Please call 512.695.3021 with a minimum of 24 hours in advance to check date availability and schedule.
Payment must be made to secure your spot.
Galapagos Tortoise encounter information and policies:
Availability:
Tortoise Encounters are available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:00am (or 1 PM on cold-temp days), with only one encounter booked per day.
Pricing:
The cost of your encounter is $25 per person.
We accept Master Card, Visa and Dicsover
Who can participate?
Encounters are limited to three individuals, at least 5 years of age or older. Children under 10 years of age must be supervised by an adult.
We will provide gloves for guests to wear. Gloves are required for your entire experience.
How long is this encounter?
Our encounters are 25-30 minutes long.
Where do I check in?
Please check in at our Gift Shop at least 10 minutes before your scheduled encounter at noon to review and sign a liability release.
Can I take pictures?
Guests will not be allowed to take photos/videos. This is for your safety!
A member of our Education staff will be taking photographs or videos for you. We ask that one guest per group provide a smart phone.
Please do not be late!
Please do not be late! You will want to spend as much time as possible with Muffet, Gertie and Wheezy! Arrivals later than 10 minutes after the scheduled encounter time of 11:00am will result in cancellation of your encounter and no refunds will be given.
*Cancellation or rescheduling of an encounter must be done at least 5 days prior to the scheduled encounter. Refunds will be provided only if the encounter must be canceled due to inclement weather as determined by Austin Zoo management.