What’s New at the LA Zoo

A day at the zoo is a family favorite when it comes to spending time together and having fun. Exotic animals, sweet treats and the chance to make furry friends at the petting zoo are some of the major draws to any zoo, but the Los Angeles Zoo is stepping up its game with the latest addition of amazing tour opportunities.

While most zoo visitors only see the animals in their habitats from the safety of viewing platforms and pathways that wind throughout the zoo, the real action is going on behind the scenes. Wild Adventures: Behind the Scenes Tours

 are a fun and educational way for guests of all ages to get up close and personal with some of the 1,400 animals the zoo cares for. These unique tours gives visitors the opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into planning and running a zoo as well as the dedicated work of caring for the animals.

Tours are offered only on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. There are six tour options to choose from, each led by experienced and knowledgeable experts, and each covers two separate areas otherwise off-limits to the general public. From elephants and jaguars to vultures and snakes, exploring the zoo from behind the scenes will give you and your family a new perspective on animals and the commitment that goes into caring for them.

The Feeding a Zoo tour gives guests an inside look at what goes into preparing meals and feeding the zoo’s many inhabitants, while the What’s for Lunch tour gives educational insight about the specific feeding habits and needs of the animals.

The Evolving Habitats tour lets guests learn about the hard work and planning that goes into designing and creating the unique habitats that allow the animals to thrive and feel at home amid the bustling metropolis of 4 million people that is Los Angeles.

The Pioneering Conservation tour explores the science and technology that goes into caring for these delicate creatures. The zoo doesn’t just house and feed wild animals, it is heavily involved in the never-ending effort of keeping the world’s animals and their habitats safe from the threat of extinction.

Tours cost $75 per person and must be purchased online. The tour tickets do not include admission to the zoo, $21 for adults and $16 for children aged 2 through 12.