Get up close and personal with a sloth. Help give a bath to worlds largest land mammal. Get a fin high five from a dolphin. Watch a penguin paint!
The Zoo has a variety of unique encounters for you to experience. Scroll down to learn more about them!
Experience sloth up-close and personal in our new Sloth Encounter. Participants of this program will meet and learn about one of the Zoo’s sloths. As a guest of this experience you will have an opportunity to feed the sloth. For animal and guest safety participants will not be able to hold a sloth. See our frequently asked questions below for more details.
This program is for up to four people. All participants must be at least 6 years old and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost per session
Each session can accommodate up to four people, ages 6 and up, and includes Zoo admission.
Zoo Members: $200
Non-Members: $280
How old do I have to be?
All participants must be at least 6 years old. No one under the age of 6 will be allowed to attend or view a Sloth encounter. This includes infants.
Children aged 6-14 must be accompanied by an adult, not to exceed 4 people total.
How long is the encounter?
Your total adventure will be around 25-30 minutes.
Will I get to hold a sloth?
For safety reasons, guests will not be able to hold a sloth during this encounter.
Will I get to touch a sloth?
We will leave this up to the sloth and how they are feeling that day. You may get to touch, but we cannot guarantee that for every guest.
Will I get to feed a sloth?
Yes! Guests will have the opportunity to feed our sloths part of their meals for the day. Please note that the sloths may choose not to eat the food offered to them, and we can’t guarantee that they will take what is offered.
Can I take photos?
Guests are welcome to take photos, but no flash is permitted. Guests must stay in the area designated by zoo staff while taking pictures.
Can I participate if I have a disability or special need?
We will make every effort to make all Animal Adventures accessible to all guests. Please contact us at edustaff@indyzoo.com prior to registering to discuss accessibility.
Here’s your opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to bathe an elephant. In this program, participants will help scrub down one of our African elephants and learn what takes to care for these amazing animals.
This program is for up to four people. All participants must be at least 6 years old and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Each session can accommodate up to four people, ages 6 and up, and includes Zoo admission.
You’re invited to come behind the scenes to get up close and personal with one of our amazing marine mammals!
Following one of the Zoo’s scheduled Dolphin Presentations, our team of dolphin trainers will lead participants around to the back pools of the Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion. During this 10 minute encounter, participants will have the opportunity for a quick interaction and each guest will get a double “high-five” from one of the members of the dolphin pod.
It’s a perfect way to add a wild twist to your next Zoo visit!
Cost: $15 per participant
Meet and greet ticket(s) will also serve as entry into the dolphin presentation.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. To participate, guests will need to have purchased or reserved Zoo admission for the same day
Program Requirements
The Zoo has lots of talented animal artists who can create a one-of-a-kind work of art just for you! These special experiences allow a group of up to 4 guests to watch one of our animal artists create a personalized painting just for you. For our programs that include more than one species of animal, please note that our keepers will select your animal artist that day and we cannot accept special requests.
Elephant – Ages 6 and up – Offered year round
Dolphin – Ages 6 and up – Offered winter, spring, and fall
Penguin – Ages 6 and up – Offered in summer
Rhino – Ages 6 and up – Offered in summer
Pinniped (Walrus or Sea lion) – Ages 6 and up – Offered in summer
New!
Lemur – Ages 12 and up – offered in Summer
Orangutan – Ages 12 and up – offered in Summer
Each session can accommodate up to four people and includes Zoo admission. Participants of an Animal Adventure must be at least 6 years old and participants of Lemur and Orangutan adventures must be at least 12 years old. Participants aged 6 to 13 must have an adult present, not to exceed 4 people total.
Zoo Members: $250
Non-Members: $330
Some animal art adventures may include stairs, uneven terrain, or small spaces. If someone in the group has a special need or mobility issue, please contact us in advance so that we can better accommodate the need.
