For generations, visitors of all ages have enjoyed Woodland Park Zoo’s Family Farm exhibit, where guests had the opportunity to experience close encounters with a number of common barnyard animals and learn about traditional aspects of farm life. But the space, just inside the zoo’s south entrance, was beginning to show its age.
“We have an area that is great for making up-close connections but is outdated and in need of major upgrades,” explains Dr. Luis Neves, Senior Director of Animal Care at Woodland Park Zoo. Those upgrades are underway and, beginning in the summer of 2026, zoogoers will be able to experience an array of very different up-close and hands-on experiences in a space the
zoo is renaming Wild Encounters.
The extensive transformation will include habitats for Aldabra giant tortoises, arboreal lorikeets and lories, and there are plans for additional species to be introduced in the future. The zoo’s existing herd of lively and popular goats will remain but will move into a refreshed area within Wild Encounters.
(Image: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)
The first of the new species to be viewable to the public this year will be two Aldabra giant tortoises, one of the world’s largest land tortoises. The female pair were rescued with the help of longtime friends of the zoo, Madeline and Geoff Haydon. “We were happy to facilitate this rescue and give them the opportunity to become ambassador animals for Woodland Park Zoo where they can encourage curiosity, compassion, and respect for wildlife (…)” says Madeline Haydon.
Fostering curiosity, compassion, and respect for wildlife will be key aspects of all the visitor experiences within Wild Encounters. Programing by the zoo’s animal keepers will focus on bringing guests closer than ever to a variety of ambassador species and keepers will share their expertise on diet, behavior, and will allow guests to practice caring for individual animals.
(Image: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren/Woodland Park Zoo)
And, coming next spring, Lorikeet Landing will be a paid experience to get up close with the brilliantly feathered, medium-sized parrots native to the Indo-Pacific region. Inside the aviary, visitors will be allowed to feed these colorful birds and view other bird species such as ground-dwelling pigeons and kookaburras.
For more information about Wild Encounters, future developments, and to contribute to the zoo’s fundraising efforts, visit Woodland Park Zoo – Wild Encounters.
