Welcome to the September edition of Zoo Atlanta 411 Have you visited Zoo Atlanta recently? There is always something new to see and do so I encourage you to add Zoo Atlanta to your Fall outings. During our most recent visits to the zoo we checked out several of the VIP experiences.
Have you ever wanted to feed a Lemur? Or come face to face with a Tiger? Ever wonder what an Elephant feels like? Well the Atlanta Zoo Wild Encounters are the perfect way to make these once in a lifetime dreams come true.
For even more fabulous animal encounters as well as unique tours, conveniences and amenities and more be sure to use the NEW ExpApp to book your VIP Pass experiences. I used the app to book our 4 experiences and was delightfully surprised at how quick and easy it was. Within minutes I had our experiences booked and received our confirmations. Animal encounters and tours range from $13 per person - $150 per person (zoo admission is separate). You can purchase tickets to encounters and tours the day of your visit, but it is highly recommended you purchase them in advance because space is limited and they do fill up. Experiences last 30 minutes to 1 hour.
VIP Pass Experiences and Amenities Include:
-Lemur Wild Encounter
-Elephant Wild Encounter
-Tiger Feeding
-Personal Gorilla Experience
-Bird Tour with Curator
-Guided Zoo Tour
-Skulls and Bones Galore Tour
-Giraffe Feeding Fast Pass
-Plush-To-Go
-Advance Single or Double Stroller Rental
-Advance Scooter Rental
-more coming soon...
*Note tours and feedings are only offered on certain days of the week.
The app can be accessed from iPhone and Android Smartphones.
My daughter is very passionate about animals and it has always been her desire to own a horse and animal rescue when she is older. However after attending 4 of the VIP experiences at Zoo Atlanta she is now considering becoming a Zoo Keeper. If you are passionate about animals or have a child that is passionate about animals the animal encounters and VIP tours are a terrific way to encourage those passions while creating special memories that will stay with you long after you leave the zoo. Plus by attending a wild encounter or tour you are helping the zoo with conservation efforts!!!
Here are some pictures and a video of our 4 encounters. The children both said the Bird Tour with a Curator was their favorite. Mine favorite is a toss up between the Bird Tour with a Curator and the Tiger Feeding.
Bird Tour with Curator
James Ballance takes you behind the scenes for an in-depth look at some of the zoos diverse bird collections. He is an amazing guide and is very passionate about his job. During our tour we got to pet the baby flamingo's which are one of the zoo's newest arrivals (only 1 month old). We also got to feed the Giant Hornbill's and several birds in the Living Treehouse.
Elephant Wild Encounter
Go behind-the-scenes and meet one of the zoo's 2 African elephants, Kelly or Tara. You will come nose to trunk with an elephant and get to touch their skin, feel their ears, and feed them. You will also learn about the important conservation efforts being made to save these magnificent creatures from extinction. Did you now that over 100 elephants are killed per day? Visit 96 Elephants to find out what you can do to help.
Lemur Wild Encounter
Go behind-the-scenes to meet and feed the famous residents of the Madagascar. In this up-close-and-personal encounter you will meet either the black-and-white ruffed or ring-tailed lemurs and get to hand feed them. During our encounter we also had the privilege of hearing why lemurs are referred to as the Banshees of the Rainforest (check out the video)!
Tiger Feeding
Join a Carnivore Keeper and a Sumatran tiger for a totally unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience. Not only will you learn how the tigers are trained, but you will get to feed them too! Note the tiger feeding and keeper talk can be viewed by all zoo visitors, however if you want to be only 2 feet away from them and feed them you will want to purchase the VIP Experience.
Upcoming September Events and Programs:
September 3 and 6 - Adventure Cubs - Creatures Quarters
September 6 - Fall Educator Appreciation Day (homeschoolers may attend this event)
September 6 - Members Only Night
September 7 - Grandparents' Day
September 10 - Homeschool Academy
September 11 -Wild on the Rocks - Komodos and Cocktails
September 13 - Jazzoo
September 13 - Family NightCrawlers - Partyin' With Pandas
September 24 and 27 - Stroller Cubs - Full of Feathers
September 26 - Deluxe NightCrawlers - Groovy Great Apes
September 27 - Cub and Boy Scout Day
From now through the end of September take advantage of the 6th Annual SWAMPtember Saving Event. 20 Metro Atlanta attractions are participating this year!
Families looking to find something new to do this September are in luck! 20 Metro Atlanta attractions have partnered together to offer significant savings in the annual SWAPtember event, running September 1 – 30, 2014. SWAPtember encourages Members of the participating attractions to explore the offerings of other organizations.
Members from any participating attraction can show their membership card at any other attraction and receive $10 off a membership purchase. Some attractions are also offering additional discounts on admission during the month-long savings event. For full offer details, visit the participating attraction’s web site.
The 2014 SWAPtember participants are:
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Atlanta History Center | Margaret Mitchell House
Booth Western Art Museum
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
Callaway Gardens
Center for Civil and Human Rights
Center for Puppetry Arts
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Georgia Aquarium
High Museum of Art
Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University
Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
Museum of Design Atlanta
Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
Piedmont Park Conservancy
Tellus Science Museum
Zoo Atlanta
Announcements:
The otter habitat is open again after being closed for renovations. You can now see river otters and giant otters at the habitat. The two species of otters are rotated during the day so if you plan to spend all day at the zoo you can get a glimpse of both of them.
Did you know?
Everyday there is something exciting going on at Zoo Atlanta, check the calender for details. Activities are also printed on the back of the zoo map.
Activities Include:
-Public animal feedings (Gorilla, Tiger, Orangutan, Birds and more)
-Petting zoo
-Parakeet aviary (fee for feed)
-Splash fountain
-Wildlife Theater shows
-Keeper Talks
-Fantastic Flights show
-Giraffe feeding (fee for feed)
-and more...
During one of our visits we got to catch the Orangutan feeding. We learned that Benny, Blaze and Pongo are from Sumatra and that they are critically endangered because their forests are being destroyed for Palm Oil. Did you know many of the products we use and foods we eat contain Palm Oil? There is a way you can help though. Visit Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and download the Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping Guide App. Did you know Orangutans are the only apes on the continent of Asia?
Free resources for children:
-Visit my notebooking/journal page for FREE printables to help you enhance your zoo trip like a zoo scavenger hunt, zoo animal journal page and more.
-Visit the Kids Corner on the zoo's website for fun activities, games, crafts and more.
For more information about upcoming events/programs and announcements visit the Zoo Atlanta website.
As a Zoo Ambassador I will try to provide you with an update at the beginning of each month about zoo events and announcements. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for even more updates including photos during our visits.
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