Animal Encounters ~
Make your wildlife dreams a reality with a once-in-a-lifetime animal encounter at Oglebay Good Zoo!
Oglebay Good Zoo offers the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the animal kingdom’s most fascinating species. You’ll work alongside zookeepers to feed and train them. Did you know that animal encounters are beneficial to an animal’s health and welfare? Encounters aren’t just enjoyable for humans, they’re a form of animal enrichment which is a vital part of animal welfare, as it stimulates an animal’s senses and curiosity.
How To Register
Reservations may be made via phone at 304-243-4100 or online at the links below. Simply select the program of your choice and click “Register Online” to view a list of available dates and times. If the date of your choosing is blocked on the calendar, try selecting another time slot, as only one encounter may be booked per hour. If all bookings are full, please call the zoo office at 304-243-4100. If viewing the calendar from a phone or other mobile device, please turn your device sideways to see the full hourly calendar of offerings for our encounter programs.
Participants must meet applicable age requirements and complete a liability release form at the Good Zoo office 15 minutes prior to scheduled encounter. Closed toe shoes required for all participants. Reservations are non-refundable, but may be rescheduled if available. Pricing is subject to applicable taxes and fees.
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Pallas's Cat Encounter
Get to meet our Pallas’s cat while learning about the species’ natural history and conservation.
30 Minute Encounter – $157 (2 participants)
This experience is limited to two (2) participants.*Must be 8 years or older. Closed-toe shoes required. Protected contact techniques and special feeding forceps are utilized for all feedings.
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Avian Encounter
Get to meet a variety of the different birds in our care while learning about these species’ natural history and conservation.
45 Minute Encounter – $157 (2 participants)
Add up to two (2) additional participants for $26 per person.*Must be 8 years or older. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Tortoise Encounter
Get to meet a variety of tortoises that we care for here at the zoo and learn about each species’ natural history and conservation efforts.
30 Minute Encounter – $92 (2 participants)
Add up to two (2) additional participants for $26 per person.*Must be 5 years or older. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Donkey Tours
Help walk our donkeys or alpaca around the zoo for their daily exercise and exploration sessions and learn about the different animals in the zoo from a keeper.
45 Minute Encounter – $92 (2 participants)
Add up to two (2) additional participants for $26 per person.*Must be 5 years or older. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Photo Safari Tour
For all wildlife photographers! Join an animal keeper guide to do a behind the scenes tour with 5 species where you’ll go to keeper only access areas for the opportunity to learn about these species and take unique photos of the animals in these locations and maybe even assist the keeper with creating some environmental enrichment and providing it to the animals.
120 Minute Encounter – $288 (2 participants)
Add up to one (1) additional participant for $125 per person.*Minimum participant age is dependent upon species selected. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Cheetah Encounters
This exciting opportunity takes guests up close to our cheetahs while also providing educational facts related to the natural history of cheetahs. Guests will assist with feeding, training, and creating enrichment for the cheetahs. Cheetah encounters are held at 10 am only.
45 Minute Encounter – $288 (2 participants)
Add up to one (1) additional participant for $125 per person*Must be 18 years or older. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Sloth Encounter
Meet our sloth keepers and feed and interact with our Linne’s two-toed sloth while learning about sloth natural history and rainforest conservation.
45 Minute Encounter – $274 (2 participants)
Add up to three (3) additional participants for $57 per person*Must be 5 years or older. Closed-toe shoes and long pants required.
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Night at the Zoo Encounter
Have you ever wondered what the animals at the zoo do at night when the gates close to the guests? Come along with our keepers to find out! As part of this unique experience, you will explore some of the indoor animal habitats and learn how to use night vision goggles to observe some of the animals that we care for. Choose from a walk-about walking tour option, or tour the zoo in a passenger golf cart.
90 Minute Encounter – $197 (2 participants)
Add additional participants for $25 each; Maximum 6 participants for walking tour and 5 participants for golf cart tourTour Times:
- April – September | 8 p.m. & 10 p.m.
- October | 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (9 p.m. & 11 p.m. on Boo at the Zoo dates)
- November – March | 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
*Must be 5 years or older. Closed-toe shoes required.
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Red River Hog Encounter
Feed, train, and provide environmental enrichment to our two Red River Hogs while learning about the natural history of these amazing African swine.
30 Minute Encounter – $157 (2 participants)
Add up to two (2) additional participants for $26per person*Must be 8 years or older. Closed toe shoes and long pants required. Protected contact techniques and special feeding tools are utilized for all feedings.
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Bobcat Encounter
Get up close with one of our bobcats while learning about the bobcat’s natural history and cat conservation.
30 Minute Encounter – $157 (2 participants)
This experience is limited to two (2) participants*Must be 8 years or older. Closed-toe shoes required. Protected contact techniques and special meat sticks are utilized for all feedings.
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Creature Connection
This special encounter is specially designed for children ages 2 and up. During this interactive experience, you’ll meet three animals that could include snakes, toads, ferrets, rabbits, tortoises, guinea pigs, or armadillos.
45 Minute Encounter – $100 (4 participants)
Add up to six (6) additional guests for $15 per person*Young guests must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toe shoes required.
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Family Farmyard Fun
This program is perfect for children ages 3 and up. Learn about gentle barnyard animals and see how our zookeepers care for them. During this interactive experience you’ll feed and brush goats, train donkeys, pet rabbits or guinea pigs, create enrichment items for the animals, and toss treats to the chickens!
60 Minute Encounter – $150 (4 participants)
*Young guests must be accompanied by an adult. Closed-toe shoes required.
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Zookeeper for a Day
Have you ever wanted to be a zookeeper? Now is your chance! Work alongside our zookeepers to train the animals and feed the kangaroos and wallabies. Plus, learn about environmental enrichment and diverse diets while helping prepare animal meals. You’ll even take a behind the scenes tour of our animal hospital.
3 Hour Encounter – $170 per person
*Must be 12 years or older. Closed-toe shoes required. Maximum of four (4) guests per session.