Rhinoceros Encounters

Experience the excitement of an up-close encounter with a rhinoceros! 

Available Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 11:30 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 12:10 p.m.

Price:

• Annual Pass Holder – $25.00 per person
• Non-Pass Holder – $30.00 per person

Note: A portion of your purchase goes directly to support the International Rhino Foundation’s rhino conservation efforts around the globe.

Meet, touch, enjoy photo opportunities, and learn about our Greater one-horned rhino, PJ, as well as asking our expert keepers any questions you have about PJ and his species. There are only approximately 4,000 Greater one-horned rhinos left in the world.

Space is limited to five (5) participants per encounter. NOTE: all participants must be 5 years old or older.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by a paying adult.  

Guests need to arrive at encounter check-in area at least 10 minutes before your scheduled encounter time. The encounter check-in area is located at the far left side of the rhino exhibit – look for the sign.

This experience is based on availability and can be purchased online in advance or in person at the Zoo Admissions windows upon arrival at the Zoo. Rhino Encounters can only be purchased in person at the Zoo Admissions windows after 9:00 a.m. on the day of the encounter.

General Admission Rhino Encounter Tickets

Annual Pass Holder Rhino Encounter Tickets

Safety Measures:

• Hand washing is required before and after the encounter.
• Participants will receive a safety talk before the encounter occurs. Participants will be reminded during the encounter if they are not following those safety rules. The encounter can be ended by Animal Keeper Staff if any participants do not follow the safety rules. This is for the safety and well being of our guests, or staff, and our rhinoceros.

Disclaimers:

• Weather cancellations: Your encounter can be canceled due to inclement weather as determined by the Animal Care Staff.
• Other cancellations: As a working Zoo, there are times when unexpected things arise that require us to make last minute pivots to schedules. As a result, please be aware that encounters can be canceled at any time at the discretion of the Animal Care Staff.
• Rhinoceros Voluntary Participation: Animal Care Staff will follow our husbandry protocols to invite our rhinoceros to participate in any encounter, but his participation is voluntary. If he chooses not to participate in an encounter, we will provide a full refund.