Up-Close Tours
Go behind-the-scenes with an experienced Zoo keeper and get up-close with your favorite animals!
Animal Ambassador Tour
Go behind the scenes with our Animal Ambassador Team and encounter some of your favorite animals! Many of these animals are rescued through Abilene Zoo or other conservation organizations, and you can learn their stories of strength and resilience. Plus, this tour allows you to touch and take photos with some of Abilene’s favorite creatures that you often see on television or at community events.
Each tour features a behind the scenes journey. Animals subject to change each tour due to community events or education commitments, but the Animal Ambassador collection includes more than 50 exciting species.
Experience Animal Ambassadors like…
- Capybara
- Kookaburra
- Prehensile-tailed Porcupine
- Three Species of Armadillo
- American Alligator
- Barred Owl
- Tenrec
- Black Vulture
- Red Tailed Boa
- Swainson’s Hawk
Sloth Tour
How will you feel the first time you get close enough to see a sloth? Can you imagine the sound when a sloth enjoys a tasty treat? Picture those beautiful brown eyes, the adorable nose, and your incredible experience learning all about the sloth during your up close meeting!
Steenbok Tour
Small antelope, big ears, one memorable connection. You will have an opportunity to feed a steenbok during your visit to their habitat and will learn more about the species and their care.
Giant Anteater Tour
Go behind the scenes and get an up-close look at our giant anteater. There you will learn all about the giant anteater and how we care for them.
Reptile Tour
Separate fact from fiction by learning about and meeting a couple of the zoo’s lizards, turtles, and snakes. Learn about and meet a several of the zoo’s lizards, turtles, and snakes.
Giraffe Tour
Meet a couple of members of our giraffe herd on a guided behind-the-scenes tour. Our giraffe keeper will take you to visit our Giraffe barn and have an opportunity to get up close and hand-feed our giraffes.
Rhino Tour
Find yourself nose to horn with Abilene Zoo’s resident southern black rhino on this unforgettable tour. You will have an opportunity to feed, touch, and learn all about this magnificent species.
Details and Guidelines for Up-Close Tours:
- This is a 30-45 minute outdoor walking tour.
- Admission is not included but is required for participation.
- A paying adult must accompany children 18 years and younger.
- There are limited spots available, and we cannot guarantee there will be room to add extra participants.
- This is a public tour with a capacity of 8 participants. For private programming requests please email zoo.education@abilenetx.gov
- Check-in will begin 10 minutes before the reservation time at the Tour Stop near the entrance of the Zoo.
- The tour fee is non-refundable; however, the tour will be rescheduled when possible if necessary.
- The Abilene Zoo reserves the right to cancel or modify the tour interactions due to inclement weather, animal health, and safety concerns. In the event of cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule you for a future date.
- Reservation Confirmation is only valid for the date of your reservation.
- Online reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Reservations can be made the day of your visit at Guest Services if spots are still available. Zoo members, please log into your pass member account to receive a 20% discount.
- No service animals are allowed behind the scenes.
- Any arrivals 5 minutes or later after the start of the experience will not be permitted to join the experience.
- Program times, prices, components, and animal participation are subject to change.
- Individuals with disabilities who require accommodations should email us at zoo.education@abilenetx.gov to discuss requests before making reservations. The Abilene Zoo respectfully requests two weeks’ notice of any need for accommodation. Still, every effort will be made to satisfy requests received less than two weeks in advance to the extent possible within the time provided.
- Pricing and participation subject to change.
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Become A zoo Member
Let your wild ones meet ours any day of the week when you become a member of the Abilene Zoo.