Also check out our new Sea Lion Trainer-for-a-Day program where kids or adults go behind the scenes and learn firsthand what it's like to be an animal trainer at the Saint Louis Zoo (for participants ages 8 to 80).
Note: students entering grades 9 and up may also register for adult programs.
Wake Up With the Rays (NEW)
Join us for this exciting program at our new exhibit - Stingrays at Caribbean Cove! You will have an opportunity to chat with a keeper about these amazing aquatic animals and experience a private stingray feeding. This program will end with breakfast at Lakeside Cafe.
Limited to 50 participants per session.
Fee: ZFA Members $26/General Public $28
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A602RA |
June 2 |
Tu |
7:30-8:45 a.m. |
CLOSED |
| A721RA |
July 21 |
Tu |
7:30-8:45 a.m. |
CLOSED |
| A811RA |
August 11 |
Tu |
7:30-8:45 a.m. |
CLOSED |
Evening At The Zoo
What happens at the Zoo after the day ends? Join us for a special “in-house” evening and find out! We will start out meeting some nocturnal and other Zoo animals up-close. Then we're off for an evening tour around the Zoo to see “what’s up.” The Historic Zoo program will focus on the upcoming Centennial Celebration with features and animal stories from then and now. The Animals After Hours program will visit a variety of animal areas including the River's Edge. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants per session.
Instructor: Jim Jordan, Curator of Education
Fee: ZFA Members $20/General Public $22
The Historic Zoo
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A608EV |
June 8 |
M |
6:30-8:30 p.m. |
CLOSED |
Animals After Hours
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A615EV |
June 15 |
M |
6:30-8:30 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Bees and Pollinators
Discover the buzz about native pollinators and bees with Ed Spevak, Curator of Invertebrates and Jim Jordan, bee keeper. About 90 percent of all flowering plants need the help of animals to move pollen from flower to flower for the production of fruits and seeds. Native bees are the most important group of pollinators. These informative programs take place during National Pollinator week and include an evening dinner and a field program experience on the weekend.
Pollinator Dinner
Tuesday, June 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Enjoy a gourmet dinner buffet featuring foods brought to you by bees.
The Buzz About Bees
Come for an in-depth look at native pollinators as we observe them in the Zoo's Missouri Meadow. In North America there are over 4,000 species of bees with around 20,000 species worldwide. In fact there are more species of bees in the world than all mammals and bird species combined. Native bees, along with the European honey bee, are essential for pollinating our crops, and maintaining plant communities that provide food and shelter for other animals. Discover how important these species are to the planet and to humans, how they are threatened and how to help their conservation. There will also be a honey tasting as part of the program. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Ed Spevak, Curator of Invertebrates
Fee: ZFA Members $35/General Public $40
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A627BB |
June 27 |
Sa |
9 a.m. - 12 noon |
CLOSED |
Animal Enrichment
One of the big challenges of the modern zoo is enriching an animal's captive environment so its repertoire of natural behaviors is displayed. Come and find out how Zoo staff and volunteers use a myriad of methods to enhance the animals' enclosures. These activities enrich the animals' lives and provide exciting observational experiences for the visitor. We will start the program by learning the hows, whys and whats of enrichment along with making enrichment items for the bears and other Zoo animals. We will visit the animals and watch them enjoy the enrichment items we made. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Jim Jordan, Curator of Education
Fee: ZFA Members $30/General Public $33
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A711AE |
July 11 |
Sa |
9:30 a.m. - 12 noon |
CLOSED |
It's For The Birds
Birding is the most popular animal activity and offers many flights of fancy as you peer into their world. Discover the hows and whys behind the miracle of flight and other bird adaptations through bird artifacts and discussions. Bird migration, songs and courtship displays, as well as beak and feet characteristics for different habitats are some of the topics we will investigate. We will tour the bird unit and meet with a Penguin/Puffin Keeper for an inside look into our polar aquatic birds. Fly on over and discover the beauty found in birds. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Jim Jordan, Curator of Education
Fee: ZFA Members $30/General Public $33
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A718BD |
July 18 |
Sa |
8:30-11:30 a.m. |
CLOSED |
Powerful Predator Impact
Though they deal out death, predators play an important part in nature. Come learn about the unique hunting adaptations of predators and how they impact their ecosystem. This program will include a classroom presentation, an opportunity to meet some of our smaller predators up close and a tour of the carnivores housed in River's Edge. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Kimberly Hoormann, Naturalist-Instructor
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A719PD |
July 19 |
Su |
6-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Animals Weathering Global Climate Change
Climate change is considered to be the greatest environmental challenge facing the world today and in the future. Weather fluctuations have become more extreme. Summer is coming earlier and temperatures are warmer. What does this mean for our wildlife who live in polar regions, coastal ecosystems, alpine environments and in the oceans? Changing climate has allowed exotic species to put new pressure on native species already in peril. We will look at a variety of Zoo animals that represent these and other ecosystem changes and learn about conservation efforts to stem these threats. We will meet a carnivore keeper to learn more about the plight of polar bears, sea lions and seals. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Jim Jordan, Curator of Education
Fee: ZFA Members $28/General Public $30
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A808CC |
August 8 |
Sa |
9-11:30 a.m. |
CLOSED |
Adult Safaris
These after-hours programs allow a more intimate chance to meet both the animals and the curatorial staff members who care for them. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Elephants, Rhinos and Hippos Safari
Come and explore the Zoo after hours for a tour of an immersion exhibit -- the River's Edge! Get the scoop on Raja and his new mate(s). See how the rhinos are settling in and how the hippos are doing in their riverine home. Learn the challenges of taking care of these unique animals. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: River's Edge Zookeeper
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A603ER |
June 3 |
W |
6:30-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Veterinary Hospital Safari
Come and explore the Saint Louis Zoo’s Endangered Species Research Center & Veterinary Hospital. Catch a glimpse of how our veterinarian staff cares for the animals. This tour will include discussion of the unique opportunities and challenges that accompany treating a clientele of 3000 animals ranging from 20 grams to 8000 pounds!! Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Hospital staff
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A609VH |
June 9 |
Tu |
6:30-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Hoofed Stock Safari
Do you know which hoofed mammal serves as the Zoo's symbol? Come explore the Zoo after hours for a personal tour of the Zoo's hoofed stock collection. See giraffes, gazelles, gerenuks and more while learning about the challenges of taking care of these diverse mammals. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Tim Thier, Zoological Manager - Antelope
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A616HS |
June 16 |
Tu |
6:30-8 p.m. |
CLOSED |
Carnivore Safari
Come and explore the Zoo after hours as we visit long-time favorite areas -- Bear Pits, Sea Lion Basin and Big Cat Country. On this informative tour, you will learn how nature rules with fangs and claws. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructors: Rachel Macy, Zoological Manager - Carnivores
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A624CS |
June 24 |
W |
6:30-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Primate Safari
Come visit the Zoo's primate collection. We will have a swinging good time at the Primate House as we learn about the ever changing social dynamics and behavior of primates as well as the Zoo's conservation efforts. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants
Instructors: Joe Knobbe, Zoological Manager-Primates
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code |
Date |
Day |
Time |
|
| A629PS |
June 29 |
M |
6:30-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Herp Safari
Join us for a behind-the-scenes evening tour of the Herpetarium. See how the exhibits and animal collection have changed as larger exhibits have allowed us to re-create habitats with mixed species. Insights about on-going research and new projects will round out the tour. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructors: Animal Division Management Staff - Reptiles/Aquatics
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A728HE |
July 28 |
Tu |
6:30-8 p.m. |
CLOSED |
Bird Safari
The Saint Louis Zoo is proud to be home to over 300 different kinds of birds. Join us for this personal tour of the Zoo's beautiful collections of feathered friends. We will visit the residents at Penguin & Puffin Coast as well as the legendary flamingos. Don't forget to bring a jacket! Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Mike Macek, Curator - Birds
Fee: ZFA Members $25/General Public $27
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A729BS |
July 29 |
W |
6:30-8 p.m. |
SOLD OUT |
Building a Zoo Exhibit Safari
Enjoy an informative after-hours stroll to discover the ins and outs of planning, designing and building new Zoo exhibits. The exhibit design process incorporates many facets: landscaping, interpretive graphics, animal well-being and providing an exciting public experience. This tour will focus on the exhibit designs for Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, Year of the Frog, Big Cat Country and upcoming exhibits. Program participants meet in the Living World.
Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Mary Brong, Exhibits Coordinator
Fee: ZFA Members $28/General Public $30
| Code | Date | Day | Time | |
| A804ZE |
August 4 |
Tu |
6:30-8:30 p.m. |
CLOSED |
|
