Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Learn about the importance of the Zoo’s conservation work, how our dedicated keeper staff care for the Zoo’s animals and get VIP access to areas not available to the public. Some experiences are seasonal as indicated in their descriptions. Please check back if your desired experience is currently on a break.
Each experience will be guided by a member of the education department and depending on the tour may include entering off-exhibit spaces, spending time with animal keepers and/or the animals themselves. Animal engagement is not guaranteed as animals are given choice to participate in each experience. However, you will be given access to a Zoo expert for the full length of the tour. Every experience is unique and may be modified depending on staff and animal needs of the day.
All Backstage Pass programs are for ages 6 and older, and all children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult who is also a ticket holder for the same tour.
Some Backstage Passes are not available at this time. Please check back soon!
Accessibility
While all the Zoo’s public spaces and guest amenities are fully accessible, some of the behind-the-scenes areas may not be. Not all experiences are wheelchair accessible as some areas of the Zoo have stairs or other restrictions that are not suited to wheelchair mobility. Accessibility is listed in the descriptions below.
Service Animals
Service animals may not enter any behind the scenes areas.
Please contact us at (502) 238-5358 in advance of booking your experience if you have any questions or specific needs. We will make every effort to be both accessible and inclusive to guests without endangering people or the wellbeing of our animals.
Current Experiences
Animal encounters included in Backstage Pass Experiences will change based on season and availability. Check back often to see if new encounters are available!
Cassowary Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Thursdays at 2 p.m. (select dates) Get an unforgettable up-close moment with one of Australia’s most impressive and curious creatures and explore how it earned its famously fearsome reputation. Prices$50 per person |
Commissary Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Wednesdays at 2 p.m. (select dates) Part prep kitchen, part grocery store, the Zoo’s Commissary is a vital hub of the Zoo’s animal operation. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to meet the health needs of over 1,200 animals during this unique facility tour. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$20 per person |
Conservation Center featuring Black Footed Ferret |
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April – August, 2026Mondays at 2:30 p.m. (select dates) Get a behind the scenes look at the Zoo’s Conservation Center and learn how the animal care team continues to contribute to the survival of the endangered black-footed ferret. Not Wheelchair accessible Prices$50 per person |
Koala Backstage Pass |
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April – August, 2026Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. (select dates) Spend the morning with our koala keepers and get a rarely seen, up-close view of these mellow marsupials as you observe and assist with their care routine. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$120 per person |
Penguin Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. (select dates) Waddle on over for an up-close encounter with one of the Zoo’s resident penguins and get a rare peek into how the Zoo’s team cares for the colony behind the scenes! Wheelchair Accessible Prices$90 per person |
Red Panda Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. (select dates) Join the panda-monium! Get an up-close encounter with the one of the Zoo’s resident red pandas and discover what the Zoo is doing to support conservation for this special species. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$120 per person |
Rhino Backstage Pass |
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April – August, 2026Mondays at 1:30 p.m. (select dates) Meet the Zoo’s resident rhinos; learn about their historical significance to the Zoo and discover what zoos are doing around the globe to help this critical species. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$50 per person |
Seals & Sea Lions Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Tuesdays at 1:45 p.m. (select dates) Make a splash with the Zoo’s seals and sea lions. Tour our award-winning Glacier Run exhibit; learn how keepers care for our pinnipeds; and top it off with an unforgettable front row seat for the seal and sea lion presentation. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$90 per person |
Sloth Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. (select dates) Slow down for an up-close encounter with the Zoo’s Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and learn how the Zoo cares for these lovable tree dwellers. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$90 per person |
Warthog Backstage Pass |
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April – September, 2026Fridays at 2 p.m. (select dates) Get social with the Zoo’s resident warthogs! Learn about their playful behavior and unique personalities while you treat them to some much-loved brushing. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$50 per person |
Pygmy Hippo Backstage Pass |
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May – September, 2026Sundays at 2:45 p.m. (select dates) Soak up stories from our keepers while you enjoy a close‑up encounter with the rare pygmy hippo. Learn what keeps these African plant‑eaters happy and healthy, while you share some treats of your own. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$90 per person |
Aldabra Tortoise Backstage Pass |
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June– August, 2026Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. (select dates) Step inside tortoise terrain! Join us for a guided visit with our Aldabra tortoises to learn about the special care keepers give these long-lived, slow-moving giants. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$50 per person |
Creature Connections Backstage Pass |
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June– September, 2026Saturdays at 2 p.m. (select dates) Make a connection with us! In this unique backstage pass, guests will be given the chance to connect with a variety of animals, which may include meeting a North American beaver, getting an up-close encounter with our prehensile tailed porcupine or participating in the thrill of watching our Harris hawk take flight. Anything is possible in this interactive tour experience. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$90 per person |
Islands Exhibit Backstage Pass |
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June– August, 2026Saturdays at 1 p.m. (select dates) Get a never before seen, behind-the-scenes look into at the world’s first multi-species rotational exhibit to learn how our keepers use operant conditioning and animal rotation to simulate the way animals live in the wild and provide them with the highest quality of care. Wheelchair Accessible Prices$120 per person |
Giraffe Backstage Pass |
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September, 2026Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. (select dates) Get an unforgettable view as you stand toe to toe with the Zoo’s tallest residents! Learn about their behavior, and unique care while hand feeding them their favorite treats. Not Wheelchair Accessible Prices$50 per person |
Backstage Pass Experience Rules |
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Backstage FAQs |
General QuestionsWhat happens after I book an experience? Is this a walking tour? Where do we meet for the experience? What happens if I am late to my experience? How many people can participate in an experience? Who can participate in an experience? What if there is bad weather? How should I dress? What should I bring? Are there any restrictions on photography or videography? Are there any restrictions for people with disabilities? If you have any questions, please contact the Education Department at (502) 238-5358. We will be happy to discuss how we can best accommodate any needs within the limitations of our facilities, regulations and staffing. Other considerations… Purchase QuestionsWhat is the Cost of a Backstage Pass Experience? Can I purchase a Backstage Pass Experience as a gift? Cancellations and ReschedulingWhat if I need to cancel my experience? Can I reschedule my Backstage Pass Experience? |