Daily Zoo News

Tuesday, October 4th, 2022

Today’s Hours: 10am-5pm

(Early Entry at 9am for Members)

From walking with our Kangaroos and Galapagos Tortoises to seeing Hippos and Penguins swim underwater, adventures at the Zoo are fun for the entire family! Use this page to get the most up-to-date information on planning your Zoo visit.

Animal News for Today

Due to the HPAI (bird flu), many of our bird locations may be closed until further notice.
Brown Mountain Tortoises are off habitat for the season.
Black Rhinos will have access to their front yard, side yard will be closed.
Veldt animals will be out late.
Indoor gorilla habitat will be closed in the morning.

Hippo Schedule

This is a typical schedule but could change without notice due to keeper discretion.

See Bibi, Fritz and Fiona outside in the morning on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday!

See Tucker and Fiona outside in the morning on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Getting Around the Zoo

Food location hours & animal appearances vary by season. Ask us when you arrive for details on how to make the most of your visit!

Zoo Map

NEW!! When you’re at the Zoo, find your destination with our interactive mobile app! Learn more here.

Directions

The main Zoo lot is located at 3427 Vine Street.

More info on hours and directions.

Parking

Members will exit the lot by scanning their digital membership or a physical membership card on the top scanner. Any other visitors can purchase a parking ticket by scanning the QR codes posted around the park or by using the parking kiosk at the zoo’s front entry.

Zoo Rides & Attractions

Rides are an included benefit of Platinum and Gold Members. Standard members and non-members may purchase tickets at each respective attraction.

Train

Times: 9:30am – 5:00pm.

Train Sponsor:

Carousel

Times: 9:30am to 3:00pm

Kanga’ Klimb

Times: 9:30am-4pm. (Ticket sales end at 3pm)

Members: $18 | Non Members: $21

Kanga Klimb is weather dependent and may close due to inclement weather or high temperatures. Kanga’ Klimb may also close due to low staffing.

Giraffe Feedings

Times: 9:30am-11:30; 12:30-2:30pm

$4 per food order. Weather and animal dependent.

Animal Experiences

These are included with Zoo admission

Cheetah Encounter

April 1 – October 31

Check the calender above for days and times!

See cheetahs do what they do best – run!

cheetah running

Sponsored by:

Barnyard Bonanza

Closed for the season.

Check the calender above for days and times!

A fast-paced, fun, family-friendly interaction in our Children’s Zoo.

barnyard bonanza

Presented by:

Bird Experience

Closed for the season.

Check the calender above for days and times!

Watch amazing birds mimic, fly and soar above you – More information

Sponsored by:

Add A Wild Encounter To Your Zoo Visit

Add a wild encounter to your Zoo visit today! Get up close and personal with some of your favorite animals! We’re bringing you close enough to care with these special animal experiences.

Owls and Friends

Have a hoot meeting the stars of the Wings of Wonder! Get up close and personal with our flyers, squawkers, and raptor friends. You’ll also get a chance to meet one of our ambassador owls like, Ori, the Milky Eagle Owl.

Purchase Experience

Days/Times Available: 2:00pm on select dates
Age Restrictions: Ages 5+ only (Must be at least 13 years of age to attend experience alone).
Cost: $30/person

More Info

This ticket is only good for this program and, a separate admission ticket is required to enter the zoo.
Please arrive at the experience 10 minutes before the encounter time.
For this experience, please plan to meet the attendant in Welcome Center.
This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
Only ticket holders will be permitted to attend this experience.
All participants will be required to wear a mask for this experience.
Attendees without tickets will not be admitted or be able to watch this experience. This includes children in arms or strollers.

Elephant Bath – SOLD OUT

This is a private experience for 2 people. You will have the option to add participants after purchasing by contacting our experience team.

During this private experience, groups will enter our historic elephant house to participate in the largest bath of their life! Learn all about how we care for elephants, while by working side-by-side with care staff to bathe the largest land mammal on earth!

(All participants will be required to wear a mask for this experience. At this time we cannot accommodate any exemptions.)

More Info

Days/Times Available: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays at 1:00pm
Age Restrictions: Ages 5+ only (Ages 15+ to experience without an adult)
Cost: $200 for 2 guests (This experience package is a base of $200, and includes two tickets. Three additional tickets can be added for your party after purchasing your experience. Call 513-487-3359 to add more guests.)
Capacity: up to 5 guests

Elephant Bath for 2 Attendees
This ticket is only good for this program, and a separate admission ticket is required to enter the zoo.
Please arrive at the experience 10 minutes before the encounter time.
This experience is non-refundable and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
Only ticket holders will be permitted to attend this experience. This includes children in arms or strollers.
All participants will be required to wear a mask for this experience.
We cannot accommodate strollers or wheelchairs on this experience.

Hippo Barn Tours – SOLD OUT

The barn tour is a 25 minute indoor tour of our world class hippo building. It does not include the private feeding or painting included in our Hangin’ with the Hippo experience.

Are you Fiona’s biggest fan? Have you ever wanted to know what it takes to be a full-time hippo keeper? Well, now you’re in luck! On the Hippo Barn Tour your group will get a semi-private tour of a world class hippo barn. Chat with a hippo expert as you learn all about, diets, enrichment, and Fiona’s incredible story. Grab some photos with Fiona’s baby bottle and early childhood toys. This tour promises to teach you something new about the world’s most famous hippo.

Tickets are $40. Tickets are per person. Ages 7+ only.

More Info

This experience supports the animals in our care, and also supports VulPro and the Uganda Waterways Project. VulPro supports the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of ill and injured vultures. The Uganda Waterways Project supports the patrols of rivers to prevent poaching of hippos and other African wildlife.

This tour does not include the painting or private feeding included in our Hangin’ with the Hippos package.

Sloth Feeding Experience – Returning in 2023

Slow down and enjoy a personal 20-minute encounter with ‘Moe’, one of our zoo’s two-toed sloths. You’ll learn all about his natural history while you offer Moe some tasty treats.

Tickets are $50. Tickets are per person. Ages 5+ only (Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone).

The Tremendous Tour-toise

During this experience, one of our animal care staff members will introduce you to our resident Galapagos tortoises, and fill you in on everything that goes into taking care of the largest species of tortoise in the world! Guests will get a hands-on experience while they learn all about the history of these amazing animals, as well as the conservation efforts that the Zoo supports to help preserve their precious native islands.

Purchase Experience

Tickets are $50. Tickets are per person. Ages 8+ only (Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone).

Expand for More Info

Days/Times Available – Everyday 1:00pm

Capacity – Up to 5 guests for each program; slots will be filled by units of 1.

Age Restrictions – 8 & up (Must be at least 15 years of age to attend experience alone)

Cost – $50 per person

More Info

Please note:

This ticket is only good for this program, and a separate admission ticket is required to enter the zoo.
Please arrive at the experience 10 minutes before the encounter time.
For this experience, please plan to meet attendant in the Welcome Center located just inside the main entrance.
This experience is non- refundable, and tickets will be forfeited if your party is not present at the start time.
Only ticket holders will be permitted to attend this experience.
All participants will be required to wear a mask for this experience
Attendees without tickets will not be admitted or be able to watch this experience. This includes children in arms or strollers.
We cannot accommodate strollers or wheelchairs on this experience.
Tortoise FAQ
Tortoise Waiver

Gift Shops & Food Locations Open Today

Gift Shops

Historic Vine Village Main Gift Shop*: 9am-5pm

Mai Tai’s Market Gift Shop: 10am-5pm

*For a wider variety of retail items, please shop our online store.

Food

New mobile food ordering allows touchless transactions with food pickup at Base Camp Cafe. From Food Trucks featuring chicken strips, tacos, and burgers to snack stations and Hops, overlooking Roo Valley, the Zoo has something for everyone!

See what is open today!


Historic Vine Street Village
Hops:	9am	5pm
Vine Dippin’ Dots:	Closed	Closed
Africa & Train Station
Base Camp Cafe:	10am	5pm
Savannah Soft Serve:	Closed	Closed
Tuskers:	10am	5pm
Twisted Tracks:	Closed	Closed
Train Dots:	Closed	Closed
Jungle Trails & African Veldt
LaRosa’s:	Closed	Closed
LaRosa’s Dots:	Closed	Closed
Canopy Canteen:	Closed	Closed
The Grove
Cup & Cone @ Mai Thai’s Market:	9am	5pm
Outpost Cafe @ Mai Thai’s Market:	10am	4pm
The Coop:	Closed	Closed
Wild Burger:	Closed	Closed
Taco Caja	10am	3pm
Sweet Retreat:	10am	4pm