Circle of Friends
Your support at any level makes you a part of something bigger – a part of the largest conservation movement on the planet. Help us continue our mission to save threatened and endangered species worldwide.
Join NowCurator Circle
Pearl
$300+Benefits at this level:
- Exclusive Zoo Membership card
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Amber
$600+Benefits at this level:
- Exclusive Zoo Membership card
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Conservationist Circle
Jade
$1200+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Amethyst
$3000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Sapphire
$6000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
President’s Circle
Bronze
$12,000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- Reserved parking on the day of your visit
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Silver
$25,000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- Dinner with the CEO
- Reserved parking on the day of your visit
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Gold
$50,000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- Dinner with the CEO
- Reserved parking on the day of your visit
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Black Diamond
$100,000+Benefits at this level:
- All access zoo membership with unlimited zoo admission and unlimited rides on the carousel and train for your family and friends.
- Dinner with the CEO
- Reserved parking on the day of your visit
- VIP limo cart excursion
- Behind-the-scenes animal encounter(s)
- Invitation to exclusive events
- General admission tickets to share
- Carousel and train ride tickets to share
- Recognition in Zoo Knoxville publications
- Priority registration for Zoo Knoxville Travel Programs
- Invitation to a Lunch ‘n Learn Series, presented by Food City
Exclusive Perks
Experiences
Cuban Crocodiles
Learn about Cuban crocodiles Rose and Miguel while their keepers toss enrichment into their exhibit. You’ll see them up close as they dive down to seek out their snacks!
Linnaeus Two-Toed Sloth
Enjoy a meet and greet session and feeding opportunity with Joe the Sloth.
North American River Otters
Visit Clayton Otter Creek, see the otters’ dens and watch them enjoy a fishy feast.
Giraffes
Meet our giraffe herd in a private area, see the inside of their barn and feed them some treats!
Giant Tortoises
Go inside with one of our giant tortoises and learn all about him. Big Al is over 500 pounds and over 150 years old!
Red Pandas
Enjoy an up-close, one-of-a-kind feeding experience with an adorable red panda resident.
North American Black Bear
See behind the scenes and inside the bears’ exhibit. Create enrichment objects with peanut butter, peanuts and raisins.
Details
*Behind the scenes tours start at the Amber level ($600) and are subject to availability.
**Animal experiences begin for Circle of Friends supporters at the Conservationist Circle levels and above.
Additional Experiences
Join Zoo Knoxville’s Circle of Friends and embark on unforgettable adventures like feeding a playful red panda, getting up close with a river otter, or exploring the world of a giraffe. This exclusive program offers rare behind-the-scenes encounters led by our expert keepers. Experience a Malayan Tiger Meatball Toss, enjoy a Private Budgie Feeding, or marvel at a Hawk Flying Demonstration. You can even feed a giraffe or snap a picture with Big Al, our beloved 150-year-old, 550-pound tortoise. Discover Zoo Knoxville like never before!
- African Lion Training Demo
- Bat Eared Fox Enrichment Toss
- Private Budgie Feeding
- Burrowing Owls
- Cape Porcupine
- Chimpanzee Scatter Feeding
- Clinic Tour
- Goats (Contact Yard & Barn Tour)
- Hawk Flying Demonstration
- Macaws
- Malayan Tigers
- African Painted Dogs
- Raccoons
- Rhino Barn
- Silver Leafed Langurs
- Skunks
Loyalty Status
Circle of Friends recognizes those generous supporters who are committed to our mission—to deliver dynamic guest experiences while inspiring action to save wildlife and wild places—and are able to support Zoo Knoxville through qualifying support of $300 or more. Circle of Friends Loyalty members truly make an impact.
Zoo Knoxville’s Loyalty program is designed to give more members, Support a Species participants, and donors exclusive, insider access to behind-the-scenes activities at the zoo.
Earning Loyalty Status is based on qualifying activities during the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Once you qualify for Loyalty Status, it is valid from the qualification date through the end of the following program year (e.g., qualify today, and your status lasts through December 2025). Qualifying activities include:
- Membership purchases
- Animal adoptions
- Annual Fund donations
- Fundraising event participation