Critter Encounters is our interactive exhibit that gets guests up-close to some of our friendliest animals, including goats, alpaca and a variety of birds. During the month of March, the habitat underwent an extensive remodel and now features expanded holding areas, huts with antique roofs, and new fencing, woodchips and landscaping.
“The redesign of Critter Encounters gives guests the opportunity for even more interaction with our animals,” said Hall Whitaker, supervisor of contact areas. “The biggest change that I think guests will immediately notice are two goat huts that have been added to the middle of the yard. Instead of hanging around the back, goats now congregate in these huts and are much more accessible to visitors.”
Keepers are on-hand to help small children have an opportunity to touch the animals, but our critters also have an "animals only" area they can scoot into when they need a break from little hands. Please note that not all animals in this exhibit are able to be touched.
And thanks to the remodel, there will soon be even more critters to encounter. The exhibit will soon be home to sika deer, fallow deer, spotted donkeys and two Galapagos tortoises. Stay tuned over the coming months for more details about these exciting additions.
