Behind the Scenes Zoo Experiences

Enjoy a once in a lifetime behind the scenes experience at Assiniboine Park Zoo! Join our educators and animal care professionals for a memorable experience that brings you up close with some of the Zoo's most charismatic creatures.

Due to capacity limits, advance registration is REQUIRED.
Review the "know before you go" information, experience dates, and descriptions below. Click the REGISTER NOW button to see availability and reserve your experience. If your preferred date does not appear in the booking calendar, it is sold out. 

REGISTER NOW

REDUCED MEMBER PRICING: When registering online, please select the Member Package option to access reduced member pricing, which does not include the cost of Zoo admission. Applies to Zoo, Inspire, and Inspire Conservation members.

Know Before You Go: Important Information

To ensure you have an amazing time, please review the following details before booking:

Arrival & Check-In

  • All experiences begin just inside the Zoo entrance located at 2595 Roblin Blvd. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so you don’t miss out!

Booking & Refund Policy

  • Experiences are non-refundable and only valid for the date and time booked.

Safety & Accessibility

  • Closed-toed shoes are required for all experiences.
  • Masks are mandatory for the tiger and snow leopard experiences.
  • All experiences are wheelchair accessible, except for the harbour seal and snow leopard experiences. If you have mobility limitations, please let us know when booking.
  • Service animals cannot be accommodated in behind-the-scenes experiences.
  • Life jackets will be provided and must be worn when on the seal deck during the harbour seal experience.

Photography & Videos

  • Photos and videos are only allowed when your guide gives permission.
  • Our team will take photos during the experience and send them to participants within 2-3 business days.

Age Requirements

  • Snow leopards, polar bears, tigers, and seals – 12+ years old
  • Toucan Ridge – 10+ years old
  • Aunt Sally’s Farm – 6+ years old
  • Participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Important Notice

  • Experiences may be adjusted due to zoological operation requirements.

Experience Dates

Schedule is subject to change based on zoological operation requirements.

Please arrive at the Zoo (2595 Roblin Boulevard) at least 15 minutes before your experience begins.
Meeting location is just inside the Zoo entrance.

Tiger Enrichment Experience

The experience begins at 10:00 am.

May 3, 11, 17, 25
June 7, 20, 29
July 5, 11, 17, 23, 28
August 3, 9, 15, 21, 27
September 1, 11, 21
October 4, 18

Polar Bear Honorary Trainer

The experience begins at 11:00 am. 

May 4, 10, 16, 24
June 6, 15, 28
July 4, 10, 16, 21, 27
August 2, 8, 14, 20, 25, 31
September 7, 20
October 5, 19

Snow Leopard Enrichment Experience

The experience begins at 10:00 am.  

May 23
June 1, 13, 27
July 3, 9, 14, 20, 26
August 1, 7, 13, 18, 24, 30
September 5, 14
October 12, 26

Harbour Seal Honorary Trainer

The experience begins at 1:00 pm. 

May 19, 30
June 8, 21, 30
July 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
August 4, 10, 16, 22, 28
September 4, 12, 27
October 11, 25

The Birds of Toucan Ridge

The experience begins at 10:30 am. 

May 19, 30
June 8, 21, 30
July 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
August 4, 10, 16, 22, 28
September 4, 12, 27
October 11, 25

Aunt Sally's Farm

The experience begins at 10:30 am. 

May 18, 31
June 14, 22
July 2, 7, 13, 19, 25, 31
August 6, 11, 17, 23, 29
September 6, 13, 28
October 13

 - Behind the Scenes: Tiger Enrichment Experience

Behind the Scenes: Tiger Enrichment Experience

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $90 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 4 people
Start Time: 10:00 am. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Go behind the scenes for an unforgettable encounter with our Amur tigers! Get up close as you meet a tiger and discover how we keep them engaged with creative enrichment. You'll even craft a special item and watch as they interact with your creation. A wild experience you won’t forget! Masks required.

 - Behind the Scenes: Polar Bear Honorary Trainer

Behind the Scenes: Polar Bear Honorary Trainer

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $90 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 4 people
Start Time: 11:00 am. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Step into the world of our polar bears with this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience! Learn from our animal care professionals how training enhances their care and even take part as an honorary trainer in our positive reinforcement training program. A truly unique adventure!

 - Behind the Scenes: Snow Leopard Enrichment Experience

Behind the Scenes: Snow Leopard Enrichment Experience

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $90 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 4 people
Start Time: 10:00 am. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience that brings you up close to our snow leopards. Learn about the role of enrichment and create a special item just for them. Then see your creation in action as a leopard gets to explore and enjoy it. Please note: This experience is not wheelchair accessible. Masks required.

 - Behind the Scenes: Harbour Seal Honorary Trainer

Behind the Scenes: Harbour Seal Honorary Trainer

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $90 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 6 people (May, June, July), 4 people (August, September, October)
Start Time: 1:00 pm. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Dive into an unforgettable behind-the-scenes experience with our harbor seals! Meet a seal up close and discover how training enhances their care. Step into the role of an honorary trainer in our positive reinforcement training program. Please note: This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

 - NEW Animal Encounter: The Birds of Toucan Ridge

NEW Animal Encounter: The Birds of Toucan Ridge

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $45 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 4 people
Start Time: 10:30 am. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Take a trip to the tropics and join our animal care professionals as they guide you through the fascinating world of free-flight bird training. Start and end your experience with some birding in the Zoo. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a registered adult.

 - NEW Animal Encounter: Aunt Sally's Farm

NEW Animal Encounter: Aunt Sally's Farm

Length: 60 minutes
Cost per person: $45 + GST and Zoo admission
Maximum Group Size: 6 people
Start Time: 10:30 am. Please arrive at the Zoo 15 minutes early.
Meeting Location: Inside Zoo entrance.

Calling all farmhands! Learn from an animal care professional about what it takes to take care of the animals at Aunt Sally's Farm. This behind the scenes experience is perfect for kids ages 6 - 13 who want to get up close, and maybe a little dirty, with the animals. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a registered adult.

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