Special Encounters

Purchase a Keeper for a Day or Animal Encounter gift certificate online

Keeper for a Day

Reserve your Keeper for a Day Online Now!

Have you ever wanted to see what a zookeeper does all day?  Spend a day with our keepers, one on one, from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  Help feed a polar bear, help prepare diets, and more.

  • $200.00 donation/person
  • Scheduled Monday through Wednesday
  • Fees are paid in advance of your scheduled encounter
  • Runs from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM several times a week
  • Program is offered to ages 12 and up
  • Ages 8 - 11 only with a paid chaperone in attendance
  • Online reservations open from September 15 to April 15
  • For questions, contact Shannon Jensen (Curator), sjensen@alaskazoo.org

Animal Encounters

Book your Animal Encounter Online Now!

Choose between the wolves, seals, big cats or polar bears for your encounter.  Participate in making diets, providing enrichment, cleaning, and training alongside the animal's zookeeper.

  • $85.00 donation/person ages 12 and up
  • $45.00 donation/child age 11 and under w/ paid adult
  • Fee includes admissions to the zoo
  • Fees are paid in advance of your scheduled encounter
  • Encounters are 45 minutes to 1 hour
  • Online reservations open from September 15 to April 15
  • For questions, contact Shannon Jensen (Curator), sjensen@alaskazoo.org

Discovery Tours (summer season only)

Discovery Tours are great for both tourists and Alaska residents alike! Tours are daily during the summer season, starting May 21st and ending on Labor Day.

  • Tour lasts 2 hours and includes two behind-the-scenes stops
  • Daily tour times are set from 12:15pm to 2:15pm
  • $15.00/youth & $25.00/adult (includes admission)
  • Open attendance, no reservations needed
  • Arrive at admissions any time before Noon, pay for the tour at that time
  • Contact Stephanie Hartman (Education Director) at slhartman@alaskazoo.org for more information

Alaska Zoo Tours

Organize your family and friends and schedule an Alaska Zoo Tour today!

  • Tour lasts 1.5 hours and includes one behind-the-scenes stop
  • Minimum 5 people, no maximum
  • Cost is $10/youth and $15/adult (includes admission)
  • Passes are not accepted
  • Fees are paid upon the group's arrival for the tour at the admissions entrance
  • Must be scheduled in advance
  • Not available during summer months (June to August)
  • Contact Marla Wales (Outreach Coordinator) at outreach@alaskazoo.org for more information