Wild Encounter: Giant Panda

Explore the fascination and share in the awe of the world-famous black-and-white bears! During this experience, a Zoo Educator will engage participants through an exploration of what makes giant pandas so unique, including stories about the giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta. As a capstone to this exciting educational program, participants will get the chance to go behind the scenes to meet the Animal Care Team and explore what it takes to care for this amazing species.

All encounter participants, including children, will be required to wear a KN95 face mask. If you do not have a KN95 face mask, the Zoo will provide one before the encounter.

Register Now

Due to the small capacity of this encounter, spots are extremely limited and sell out quickly. Programs are offered Wednesday-Monday, and some blackout dates may occur. If your desired date/time is not available, please continue to check the website for future availability.

 
  • Meet across from the Panda Pagoda Gift Shop outside the Giant Panda Habitats to check in with a Zoo Educator at 10:15 a.m.
    • The program will start at 10:30 a.m., and late arrivals will not be able to join.
  • Pre-registration is required for this program.
  • Photos and videos are not permitted during this program. We want you to experience this encounter with your own eyes, ears, and nose and not through the lens of a camera. For safety reasons, participants need to be focused on their surrounding environment and not on a phone/camera.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Please note: due to current animal immersion program schedules, this program cannot be booked on the same days as the Lemur Wild Encounter (returning Spring 2024).

$240 per participant + Zoo admission
$216 per participant
Giant Panda
6+

 

  • Children must be 6 years old and up to participate.  
  • Children 15 years old and under must be accompanied by a ticketed Wild Encounter adult.  
    • There must be one ticketed Wild Encounter adult for every two ticketed children 15 years old and under.

 

  • Zoo Admission is not included. If you are not a Member, you will need to also purchase General Admission tickets. Tickets may be purchased in advance on our website or at the front gates but will cost less if purchased online in advance.
  • When purchasing your admission tickets, select any time slot on the same date as your Wild Encounter. You will be able to enter at any time the front gates are open by showing your General Admission ticket and Wild Encounter reservation.
  • We ask all Wild Encounters participants to view the brief health screening prior to coming to the Zoo for your encounter.
  • All participants are required to complete a digital waiver PRIOR to your encounter date.
  • This is an optional experience and requirespecial safety precautions. Participants must wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including a KN95 face mask, gloves, shoe coverings, and a lab coat. All of the PPE will be provided by Zoo Atlanta at no additional cost. For the health and safety othe animals and other guests, there are no medical exemptions.  
  • Photos and videos are not permitted during this program. We want you to experience this encounter with your own eyes, ears, and nose and not through the lens of a camera. For safety reasons, participants need to be focused on their surrounding environment and not on a phone/camera.
  • If you or a member of your party are feeling unwell, please visit us another time. 
  • All Zoo team members will wear a face mask for the duration of the program.  

Some behind-the-scenes and encounter spaces may not be fully accessible, due to uneven terrain, tight spaces, potential for loud sounds, and/or low lighting. Accommodations vary depending upon the program. Please contact our Education Department at 404.624.5822 or education@zooatlanta.org for specific information concerning accessibility and accommodations.

All Wild Encounters guests are expected to adhere to our Zoo Atlanta Rules of conduct, found here.

  • Full payment is due upon reservation.
  • digital waiver must be completed by each participant or guardian every time in order to participate.
  • Participants 17 years old and under attending without a parent or guardian must complete a  digital waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
  • Refunds or reschedules will not be issued for no-shows.
  • Cancellations received more than 7 days before the scheduled visit will receive a full refund.
  • Reschedule requests received less than 7 days prior to your scheduled program date will incur a 10% reschedule fee, based upon the total cost of your reservation.
  • Guests will not receive a refund and reschedules due to rain.
  • In the event of extreme or inclement weather conditions, within 15 minutes of the program start time, you will be contacted by Zoo Atlanta and offered a refund (of program cost, only) or the opportunity to reschedule.
  • Parking is conveniently located in the lot on Cherokee Avenue and in the new Grant Park Gateway parking facility on Boulevard. These are paid public lots owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by AAA Parking. Rates will be $3 an hour for a maximum of $12 a day.
  • Participants can expect to meet members of the Animal Care Team, meet an animal, learn about our positive reinforcement training and enrichment programs, and walk away with a keepsake and knowledge of how to save species. All participation in Wild Encounters programs is voluntary for the animals.
  • Due to animal safety regulations, guests who have been outside of the United States or Canada within the (10) days prior to the program will not be allowed to participate.
  • To ensure the safety of our animals and guests while behind the scenes, follow all instructions of keepers and Zoo staff. Participants who are not following instructions will be asked to leave the program and will not receive a refund.
  • Strollers and wagons are not allowed in behind-the-scenes areas.
  • Participants must wear closed-toe and closed-heel shoes. Flip flops, sandals, etc. are not permitted in behind-the-scenes areas.
  • Clothes may get dirty during this experience. Please plan accordingly.

For questions relating to this program, please contact Education at education@zooatlanta.org.


Wild Encounter Gift Certificate

Give the adventure of lifelong learning. Here’s an idea we can promise won’t be re-gifted: give a certificate for one of Zoo Atlanta’s education programs! You may also purchase gift certificates in $25 increments up to $100. Program restrictions apply. 

Buy Gift Certificate

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