Wildlife Connections

wildlife connections

Take Zoo Life
Personally

Looking for something a little wilder than the typical zoo experience? Want to make a memory with our animals that you’ll never forget?

Then come take part in one of our Wildlife Connection experiences! Utah’s Hogle Zoo offers a variety of opportunities to get up close and learn about our amazing animals. See just how long a giraffe’s tongue is, feel how tough a rhino’s skin is, and gain a new appreciation for animals big and small.

Proceeds from Wildlife Connections go towards the continuation of our excellent animal care and to our conservation partners around the world. See guidelines and limitations below.

wildlife connections

Giraffe
Experiences

Join us at Twiga Terrace for our public giraffe feedings. Feel free to snap the perfect photo or chat for a moment with our staff about these incredible creatures. Giraffe feeding opportunities are dependent on the animal’s voluntary participation as well as weather and safety concerns and may be canceled at any time.

Starting May 13^th giraffe feedings will occur Friday – Sunday
Starting May 27^th giraffe feedings will occur daily

Giraffe Feeding Experience

$5 per person, paid at Twiga Terrace. Times may vary, please check when you enter the zoo.

Location

Find us at the Twiga Terrace pavilion. Wait time may vary depending on the giraffes and their interest in eating.

Please note: Experiences are subject to change based on the health and welfare of the animals.
Feeds are dependent on the voluntary participation of the animals.

wildlife connections

Rhino & Elephant
Experiences

Our elephant and rhino feedings are back! Get a glimpse of these majestic creatures in an exciting face-to-face (or rather, face-to-trunk or face-to-horn) encounter. Both Rhino and Elephant feeding opportunities are dependent on the animal’s voluntary participation as well as weather and safety concerns and may be cancelled at any time.

Rhino Feeding Experience

Memorial through Labor Day. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased near the rhinos. Times may vary, check when you enter the zoo.

Friday rhino feedings at 11:30 AM

Animal Feeding Tickets

Location

Find us at Rhino & Elephant Encounter. Wait time may vary depending on the animals and their interest in eating.

Elephant Feeding Experience

Times may vary, check when you enter the zoo.

Saturday and Sunday Elephant feedings at 11:30 AM

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Upgrade your visit with one of our four exclusive tours at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Bring your camera and join a knowledgeable guide for an insider’s peek at how we care for the animals at the zoo.

Tour Size: Limit five participants per tour; recommended for ages three years and older. Must register for tour at least 30 minutes in advance of scheduled start time. Tours sell out quickly, so we encourage you to pre-register before your zoo visit.

If you cannot attend one of the dates listed, special dates may be requested with a minimum of three weeks’ advanced notice. If you have questions, please contact [email protected]

Please note: Experiences are subject to change based on the health and welfare of the animals. Any animal interactions are dependent on the voluntary participation of the animals.

VIP CART TOUR

Your group of five will sit back in the comfort of your expedition cart as you enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the zoo, led by one of our knowledgeable guides. Your guide will provide a wealth of insider information, animal facts, and personal stories. Together, you’ll become champions for wildlife, encounter a few surprises throughout the zoo, take lots of photos, and end with a private meet-and-greet with one of the zoo’s small ambassador animals.

Available: 8:00 am (this tour must be pre-registered 24 hours in advance.).
Group Size Limit: 5 participants
Cost: $300 member price; $400 nonmember price
Price includes admission to the zoo

Buy Tickets

GIRAFFE BARN TOUR

**COMING SOON**

Step into the shoes of a zookeeper and discover what it takes to care for the world’s tallest creatures. Tour the Giraffe Barn, prepare food and enrichment for the giraffes, and end your tour by meeting and feeding one of these gentle giants.

Available: Saturdays at 2:00 pm
Group Size Limit: 5 participants
Cost: $150 zoo member price; $200 nonmember price
Price does not include admission into the zoo.

Buy Tickets

ELEPHANT BARN TOUR

**COMING SOON**
(Zoo Members Only)

Join our staff behind the scenes and explore what it takes to care for the largest land animal, the elephant. Tour the Elephant Barn, prepare food and enrichment for the elephants, and end your experience with a chance to meet one and feed one of the zoo’s elephants.

Available: Fridays at 2:00 pm
Group Size Limit: 5 participants
Cost: $200

BuyTickets

L.S. SKAGGS ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER TOUR

Pull out your stethoscope and discover what it’s like to be a veterinarian at the zoo. Take a tour of the zoo’s L.S. Skaggs Animal Health Center, an off-exhibit space that is closed to regular visitors. Look at x-rays, blood samples, and learn how our veterinarians help maintain the health of the animals at the zoo.

Group Size Limit: 5 participants
Cost: $150 (zoo member price), $200 nonmember price
Coming Fall 2022

The price of wildlife connections is not included with zoo admission (unless otherwise stated). Tickets for the behind-the-scenes tours are available online and in advance, but tickets for the feeding experiences are purchased on the day of the visit right before the experience. All experiences are dependent on the individual animals and their desire to participate.

Experiences may vary due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

HOGLE ZOO MAP

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RULES & REGULATIONS

Read Our Policies

FAQs

Learn More

ACCESSIBILITY

Learn More

Wildlife Connections

Take Zoo LifePersonally

GiraffeExperiences

Giraffe Feeding Experience

Location

Rhino & ElephantExperiences

Rhino Feeding Experience

Location

Elephant Feeding Experience

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

VIP CART TOUR

GIRAFFE BARN TOUR

ELEPHANT BARN TOUR

L.S. SKAGGS ANIMAL HEALTH CENTER TOUR

HOGLE ZOO MAP

RULES & REGULATIONS

FAQs

ACCESSIBILITY

Take Zoo Life
Personally

Giraffe
Experiences

Rhino & Elephant
Experiences