Denver Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors program offers a unique and interactive experience for visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of charismatic animals. From reptiles and mammals to birds, these animal ambassadors provide an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the diverse wildlife found around the world.
Types of Animal Ambassadors at Denver Zoo
The Denver Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors program features a diverse collection of animals, including:
Reptiles
- Turtles
- Tortoises
- Snakes
- Lizards
Mammals
- Porcupines
- Tamanduas (also known as the northern anteater)
- Armadillos
- Patagonian maras
- Tenrecs
Birds
- Hawks
- Owls
- Parrots
- Kookaburras
- Tawny frogmouths
These animals have been carefully selected and trained to participate in the zoo’s interactive experiences, allowing visitors to learn about their unique characteristics, behaviors, and conservation efforts.
Interaction Opportunities with Animal Ambassadors
The Denver Zoo offers several ways for visitors to engage with the Animal Ambassadors:
Up-Close Looks
These 30-minute meet-and-greet sessions allow visitors to get up close and personal with multiple Animal Ambassadors, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. These experiences are available daily, year-round, and can be booked for up to six individuals.
Wild Card Experience
This unique experience allows visitors to meet a variety of Animal Ambassadors, including one each from the bird, reptile, and mammal categories. This program is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, during the seasonal schedule.
Parrot Encounter
Visitors can meet a flock of friendly parrots, including the African grey, known for its extensive vocabulary. This program will resume soon, and visitors can sign up to be alerted when it becomes available.
Viewing and Interaction Times
The Denver Zoo’s Animal Ambassador experiences are scheduled throughout the day, with specific times varying depending on the program:
- Up-Close Looks: Available daily, year-round, with specific times varying.
- Wild Card Experience: Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, seasonally, at 1:45 PM.
- Parrot Encounter: Programs will resume soon; fill out a form to be alerted when they do.
Restrictions and Requirements
To ensure the safety and well-being of both the visitors and the animals, the Denver Zoo has implemented the following restrictions and requirements for the Animal Ambassador experiences:
- Masks: Participants must wear masks during the Up-Close Looks experience. Neck gaiters and bandanas are not accepted.
- Hand Sanitizer: Participants must use the provided hand sanitizer throughout the experience.
- Age: All participants must be at least 6 years old.
- Nut Allergies: The experiences are not recommended for people with airborne nut allergies.
- Service Animals: Limited access is available for service animals; visitors should call 720-337-1400 to confirm.
Cost and Booking
The Denver Zoo’s Animal Ambassador experiences do not include admission to the zoo. Visitors must purchase separate admission tickets to the zoo before booking an Animal Ambassador experience.
Booking in advance is recommended, as the experiences are non-refundable and nontransferable.
Additional Information
The Denver Zoo also offers gift certificates for the Up-Close Animal Encounters, allowing recipients to choose their preferred experience.
In the event of animal health or safety concerns, the Denver Zoo reserves the right to re-route or cancel any tour. Efforts will be made to reschedule the experience if a cancellation occurs.
For more information and to book an Animal Ambassador experience, visit the Denver Zoo website or call 720-337-1400.
References:
1. https://denverzoo.org/up-close-look-ambassadors/
2. https://denverzoo.org/up-close-looks/
3. https://denverzoo.org/up-close-look-parrots/
4. https://denverzoo.org/up-close-look-wild-card/
5. https://denverzoo.org/up-close-looks-animal-ambassadors/