Close Encounters of the “Zoo Kind” return

Special to the Herald

Due to overwhelming response, Animal Encounters at Knoxville Zoo are back for the summer! Beginning May 23, Knoxville Zoo visitors can have a close encounter with some of the zoo's most exciting animals. Animal Encounters allows visitors to go behind-the-scenes to meet elephants, giraffes, penguins, rhinos or tortoises and even have the opportunity to touch or feed the animal, too. These special encounters also feature a chance to meet the animal's keeper and take a souvenir photo of you and your new animal friend.

This year's Animal Encounter line-up promises to be more exciting than ever. Take an Elephant Excursion on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to meet the zoo's resident African elephant females Jana and Edie, or attend a Giraffe Gathering on Saturdays or Sundays to feed these graceful creatures a leafy treat. Penguin Party is a "black tie" affair, hosted each Saturday by Gypsy penguin, and at Rhino Rendezvous on Thursdays, visitors can find out where gentle giant Mondo loves to be scratched. New this year is Tortoise Time, an encounter held on Saturdays with beloved Aldabra tortoises Al and Tex, two lively giants at 550 and 350 pounds each. A complete Animal Encounter schedule can be found on the zoo's website at www.knoxville-zoo.org.

Animal Encounters will take place May 23 through Sept. 6. Each Animal Encounter session is $20 per person and sessions are limited to 10 people. A special Saturday package including three animal encounters is offered for $50 per person. Reservations are highly recommended and can be scheduled by contacting Val Doyle at 637-5331, extension 384 or by emailing her at vdoyle@knoxville-zoo.org. Proceeds from the Animal Encounters program help support Knoxville Zoo's animals and conservation projects in the countries where featured animals can be found.