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Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

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Encounters & Experiences

Excited girl feeding giraffe

Encounters and Experiences

Create unforgettable experiences during your visit!

Be sure to check out these animal encounters and special experiences along the way as you discover our 2,000+ animals.

Keeper Chat with guests and zoologist discussing an Okapi

Keeper Chats

Learn more about your favorite Dallas Zoo animals from the zoologists who care for them!

See Daily Schedules
Family group feeding a giraffe at the feeding platform

Giraffe Feeding

Get up close with these gentle giants at our giraffe feeding platform on the Diane and Hal Brierley Giraffe Ridge.

  • Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
  • Location: Diane and Hal Brierley Giraffe Ridge, Wilds of Africa
  • Cost: $6 to feed the giraffes (or 2 feed bundles for $10)

While the giraffe feeding experience is available all day, we cannot guarantee that giraffes will be active and willing to interact. The experience is always dependent upon animal comfort level and weather conditions – for your safety and theirs! 

A gray cockatiel perches on a tree branch.

Travis & Zach’s

Birds Landing

Step into this unique, interactive aviary and get up close with nearly two dozen species of birds from around the globe.

  • Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
  • Location: Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, ZooNorth
  • Cost: $2 to feed the birds/Free to enter

The experience is always dependent upon animal comfort level and weather conditions – for your safety and theirs! 

A tamandua is introduced to a group of Zoo visitors by a zoologist

Wild Encounters Stage

Head to the Wild Encounters Stage Presented by Kimberly-Clark Corporation to get up close with a variety of animals, like fascinating reptiles, free-flighted birds, porcupines, and much more.

  • Location: Wilds of Africa
View the Schedule
bald eagle stands majestically in the sunshine

Wonders of the Wild

Grab a seat in the amphitheater, and get ready to discover the Wonders of the Wild! Our zoologists will introduce you to amazing animals from around the world, like precocious penguins, high-flying birds of prey, and more.

  • Open March 1 thru late September
    Monday – Thursday 10 a.m.
    Friday – Sunday 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
  • Location: ZooNorth Amphitheater
  • Cost: FREE with general admission

The Wildlife Show is approximately 20 minutes long. The appearance of specific animals cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change based on weather conditions and animal behavior.