Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences

Come walk on the wild side at the Birmingham Zoo with our Behind-the-Scenes Encounters!  

On these unique experiences, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the Zoo cares for our animals. Encounters are led by a Zoo educator and include a tour of behind-the-scenes animal areas, time with our expert Animal Care Professionals, and a special opportunity to meet animals up close. These unique moments can only be had at the Birmingham Zoo and will build memories that last a lifetime!

(A 4% transaction fee is added for all credit/debit card purchases. Cash purchases can be made at the ticket booth.)

VIP ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE: UP CLOSE AND UNFORGETTABLE

Give the gift of a VIP experience with our Gentle Giants this holiday season! Experiences are EXTREMELY LIMITED!

$500 for a single experience
Up to 4 people for up to 2 hours
$125 for each additional person (up to six people)

Includes:
Full tour of the elephant barn.
Opportunity to take up-close pictures with our elephants.
Opportunity to feed the elephants.
Opportunity to help with making elephant enrichment items.
Possible opportunity to help bathe one of the elephants.
Possible opportunity to touch one of the elephants.
A souvenir such as an elephant skin print painting.

Email [email protected] to schedule your encounter today!

Behind-the-Scenes Encounter: African Elephants

Ever wanted to get up close to the largest land mammal on earth? Come and meet our elephants! Learn about and see firsthand how we care for our African elephant herd on this behind-the-scenes tour of the elephant barn including a private training session! Tours meet in the main entry plaza and proceed to the elephant barn in the Trials of Africa. The full experience will last about one hour.

Available at 1:30 p.m. for the following 2026 dates:

February 21
May 17
August 15
November 15

Member price: $60

Non- Member Price: $85 plus zoo admission

Click here booking page for Behind-the-Scenes African Elephant Encounter to register. Members must navigate to “Sign in” on the upper right on the booking page to receive discounted rates.

Elephant Barn Tours

Go behind the scenes with an exclusive walk through our elephant barn! Discover fun and fascinating facts about our incredible bachelor herd and get an inside look at how our team cares for our elephants during this 30-minute experience. Note: Elephants will not be in the barn during the tour.

Available 2026 Dates:

Available at 1:30 p.m. for the following 2026 dates:

January 11
January 31
March 14
March 22
April 11
April 26
June 13
June 28
July 11
July 26
September 12
September 27
October 10
October 25
December 12

Member Price: $20
Non-Member Price: $25 Plus Zoo Admission

Click here booking page for the elephant barn tour to register. Members must navigate to “Sign in” on the upper right on the booking page to receive discounted rate

Behind-the-Scenes Encounter: Black Bears

Care to venture closer and encounter Alabama’s state mammal? This unique opportunity gives you the chance to watch a private training session as well as get an inside look at our bear den. You will have the opportunity to learn all about our resident bears “Betty” and “Sassy” and how we care for them. Tours meet in the entry plaza and proceed to the AL Wilds Trail. This full experience will last about an hour.

Available every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. starting May 24^th and ending August 30^th

Member price: $60
Non- Member Price: $85 plus zoo admission

Click here for the booking page for Behind-the-Scenes Black Bears to register. Members must navigate to “Sign in” on the upper right on the booking page to receive discounted rates.

Behind-the-Scenes Encounter: Komodo Dragon 

Available the first Sunday of every month at 1:00pm

Come meet our Komodo Dragon Mad Max! Get a close-up tour of his space and how our Reptile Department takes care of the largest living lizard in the world. This experience includes the opportunity to tour Mad Max’s behind-the-scenes space, learn about Komodo dragon care, and potentially feed Mad Max up close! This experience will last about 35 minutes.

Click here booking page for Behind the Scenes –Komodo Dragon Encounter] to register. Members must navigate to “Sign in” on the upper right on the booking page to receive discounted rates.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is per person. Encounters accommodate a limited number of registrants in each date/time. Encounters are not private experiences. If you would like to book a private encounter, please email[email protected] for pricing and availability.

Online ticket sales end 48 hours in advance of each tour date. Members purchasing tours will receive 25% discount on tour registrations. Members must select “member rate” and be logged to receive discounted rates. Anyone not covered by a current membership (i.e. tour reservations purchased by non-members or by members as gifts or for additional individuals not on their membership) must purchase registration + general admission options.

*Members be sure to sign into your account to receive a discount on booking!

POLICIES & RULES

AGE: Guests 5 years old and older are welcome on most Encounters. Additional age restrictions are noted in each experience description, if applicable. Guests 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by a paying adult.

ACCESSIBILITY:  All Behind the Scenes Encounters enter working areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Service animals are not permitted to enter behind-the-scenes areas or animal habitats. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.

SAFETY: For the safety of our staff and animals, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes in animal areas. Some animal areas may require a surgical mask before entrance. Masks will be provided if needed.

CANCELLATION: Behind the Scenes Encounter purchases are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability. Encounters missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule tours.

WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.

CONDUCT: Participants will enter working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the encounter without a refund.

3 % Convenience Fee per order.