Animal Connections & Feedings

Throughout the Zoo

Around every corner, there are opportunities for learning and fun at the Zoo.

Interpretive Ambassadors: They are available to all our guests, as a resource for knowledge and understanding of the animal world that we nurture, and the delicate state of its survival.  You can easily spot one of our Ambassador’s moving throughout the zoo, as they all wear a shade of purple shirt (lavender to eggplant) and khaki’s.  Please let any Ambassador know if you have questions or concerns regarding any of our collection!  They will be happy to share their vast knowledge of our animals and guide you through understanding their conservation.

Docents: You’ll find uniformed docents throughout the Zoo who are eager to answer your questions, tell stories, and share their wealth of information.

Bio-fact Carts: Docents and youth volunteers staff carts filled with bio-facts of many different animals. See and touch fur, bones, and teeth, and learn about the fascinating physiology of our animals.

Storybooks and more: Don’t forget to pick up a keepsake Zoo Key to use in our Talking Storybooks throughout the Zoo. Other must-do’s: Ride the Eugene Friend Dentzel Carousel and the Little Puffer miniature steam train, and let the kids run out all that energy at the Elinor Friend Playground.

 Zoo Manners

To ensure your visit to the Zoo is safe and pleasant, please follow the guidelines below.

• Respect the animals.
  Our animals are wild and possess all their natural instincts. You are a guest in their home. They are sensitive and have feelings. Please do not tap on glass, cross barriers, throw anything into habitats, make excessive noise, tease them, or call out to them. Please report any disturbance to wildlife by calling (415) 753-7069 immediately. Be advised to not disturb free-roaming animals such as peafowl and our wild visitors, such as gulls and other birds.
• Please do not feed Zoo animals, peacocks, gulls, or squirrels.
• Please do not let children stand on railings and fences. 
• Do not toss coins.
  Coins in water are very harmful to animals, so please do not toss coins into habitats, pools or streams. Instead, donate your change to conservation at donation boxes around the Zoo.
• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on Zoo grounds.
• Authorized transportation only.
  Strollers and wheelchairs are available for daily rental in the Friend and Taube Family Entry Village, so please leave your bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades at home.
• Photo guidelines.
  Photography is welcome, but always stay safely behind any barriers and remain in the public areas at all times. Selfie sticks are never allowed to be held over barriers at any time. The Zoo does not permit photos of its animals to be sold for profit or used for any commercial purposes without prior consent.
• Some animals may not be on exhibit the day of your visit. They have indoor/outdoor access.