Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Wild Encounters

Whether you’re visiting Fort Wayne with your girlfriends, significant other or your kids the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is definitely worth checking out. The mission of the zoo is “Connecting kids and animals, strengthen families and inspiring people to care.” One thing I really loved about the zoo was it’s designed for children to get up close and personal with the animals with their parents having to pick them up – this was especially beneficial for me since I am 4’10” and no one is going to go around picking me up so I can see what is going on.

Something that makes the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo really unique is its Wild Encounters. The zoo offers five different fun encounters for an extra price that you’re sure to love. While I was visit the Zoo a few weeks ago I got to experience the Stingray Wild Encounter and absolutely loved it. It was a really unique experience to get up close with the stingrays and feel them take fish right out of your hands. The one encounter I would love to do on my next trip is the penguin one – as someone who loves penguins I think it would be a lot of fun to check it out.

To help you select which Wild Encounter is best for you, lets see what each one offers.

African Bird Walking Tour Wild Encounter 

Cost: $59* per person
If you’ve ever wondered about the birds in the African portion of your zoo journey then this tour is for you. This walking tour provides you with access to the zoo’s bird keepers so they can show you what they feed the birds as well as how they care for them.
Days: Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Time: April 27 – May 23 & Sept 1 to Oct 7 – 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
and May 24 – August 31st 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
Ages 5 & up.
Maximum group size 4 people.

Dr. Diversity Wild Encounter

Cost: $59* per person
This Wild Encounter will take you behind the scenes of the Indonesian Dr. Diversity Rain Forest Research station, where you will visit the retile room and see how zoo keepers take care of the Dr. Diversity animals.
Days: Sundays
Time: 11:00 – 11:30 AM
Ages 4 & up.
Maximum group size 4 people.

Stingray Wild Encounter

Cost $39* per person
The aquarists will provide you with fish that you will hold in your hand, and wait for the stingrays to swim over and grab the food from your hand.
Days: Saturdays, Sundays and Monday during the zoo season.
Time: 1:00 – 1:30 PM.
Ages 6 & up.
Maximum group size 4 people.

Giraffe Wild Encounter

Cost: $79* per person
Start your adventure behind the scenes in the giraffe barn, where you’ll held the zookeepers create special feeders and watch the food get eaten while you stand toe to toe with these gorgeous creatures. 

Days: Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Time: 3:00 – 3:30 PM
DO NOT visit the Indiana Family Farm before your Giraffe Wild Encounter – goats and sheet may carry a virus that can affect giraffes (it is not harmful to humans).
After your Giraffe Wild Encounter feel free to go visit the sheep and goats.



Penguin Wild Encounter

Cost: $89* per person
Step onto the beach – yes BEACH, and help the zookeepers bring the penguins lunch. You’ll be taught the best way to feed the penguins and details about their personalities.
Days: Fridays-Mondays during the zoo season.
Time: 1:15-2:00 PM.
Cost: $89 per person.
Ages 8 & up. Maximum group size 2 people.

*These prices are for 2019 and are subject to change year to year. Please visit the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo for an up to date price list.