Ready for Wild Encounters?

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Animal Encounters at Zoo Knoxville! Plan ahead so you don’t miss the chance to meet our animal ambassadors, chat with their caretakers, and learn how you can help wildlife and wild places.

Each encounter offers fascinating insights into an animal’s behaviors, diet, habitat, and conservation status and more.

Max’s Aviary

10AM · Daily

At Max’s Aviary, guests are invited to experience a unique, dynamic interaction with our vibrant macaws. Our staff will present about a variety of unique natural behaviors and communication skills that these birds possess, while also sharing details about how to protect rainforests. The aviary’s open design allows guests to watch the birds climb and play freely. This immersive experience fosters a deeper appreciation for these colorful creatures!

Location: Max’s Aviary

Tales from the Trail

11AM · Thu, Fri, Sat & Sun

Step into the woods and discover the stories hidden within nature at Zoo Knoxville’s Tales from the Trail animal encounter. Inspired by Appalachian storytelling and the wildlife of East Tennessee, this experience features rotating ambassador animals like owls, snakes, raccoons, skunks, birds, and more while our animal care team shares fascinating facts, conservation messages, and the important role these animals play in the natural world. Every visit offers a chance to uncover something new along the trail.

Location: Clayton Timber Loop

Otters

11AM · Daily

Dive into fun at our Otter Encounter with our resident river otters Clayton, Reed, and Pascal, champions of clean water!

Location: Clayton Otter Creek

Big Al

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. WILL RETURN IN THE SPRING.

Step into the wayback machine to hear about Big Al, an Aldabra Giant Tortoise who shell-a-brates over 50 years here at Zoo Knoxville. Learn the natural history of this gentle giant and his compatriots, as well as Big Al’s personal history in human care. At over 150 years old (and that’s human years!), he has a lot of stories to share. Learn how conservation has changed over the years and the current efforts to protect this unique species.

Location: Aldabra Giant Tortoise Habitat

Tigers

11AM · Mon, Wed & Sat

Prowl over to the Tiger Temple Encounter area and come face to face with the majestic Malayan tigers, Tahan and Batari!

Location: Tiger Temple

Great Apes

1:30PM · Daily

Step into the wild world of our gorilla and chimpanzee families! Hang out with our Great Ape caretakers and get the inside scoop on these fascinating family dynamics.

Location: Gorilla Valley/Chimp Ridge

Lions or Baboons

2PM · Daily

Get a front-row seat as the powerful lions or intelligent baboons show off their skills in a special encounter!

Location: Valley of the Kings

Rhino

2:30PM · Daily

Get nose-to-horn with our two incredible white rhinos during this exciting daily encounter! Hear amazing stories and fun facts from the expert who cares for them, and learn what makes these powerful yet gentle giants so special. It’s your chance to connect with one of the planet’s most iconic species like never before!

Location: Neely Family Center for Rhino Conservation

Red Pandas

3PM · Daily

Get ready for an encounter that will steal your heart! At Zoo Knoxville’s Red Panda Encounter, you’ll come face-to-face with one of our most beloved residents. Perfect for animal lovers!

Location: Red Panda Village

Gibbons or Langurs

11AM · Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun

Head up two stories to the Gibbon Encounter to meet Georgie and Malay, or jump down into Langur Landing to see our awesome langurs. Prepare for an exhilarating encounter with our aerial acrobats!

Location: Asian Trek Treehouse

Cuban Crocodiles

9:30AM · Sun

Get ready to meet snappy personalities Miguel and Rose, our critically endangered crocs, at our Cuban Crocodile feeding session!

Location: Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Center (ARC)