We have more to offer than our free zoo!
Guided Zoo Tour: This 90-minute guided tour is a great complement to your visit to the Cape May County Zoo. On this tour, one of our Zoo Educators will guide you through the zoo while teaching you about each of our animals and their counterparts in the wild. Come join us and hear how amazing our individual animals are. There are no behind the scenes options with this tour. Tours are offered at 10:30 a.m. daily and cost $20 per person. Tours are free for children 2 years old and younger with a paid adult. To insure availability, reserving your tour early is highly recommended. There is a $50 minimum to reserve a Guided Tour.
Behind the Scenes Tour: Have you ever wondered how we feed and care for the 500 animals that call the Cape May County Zoo home? This behind the scenes tour offers guests a tour of essential “Behind the Scenes” areas. During this tour you will get to visit the Diet Building, where we prepare all of our animals’ daily diets; and the Reptile House, where you will be able to see what it is like for our keepers to care for over 85 species of reptiles and amphibians. This tour has no direct interaction with any zoo animals. Maximum of 10 people per tour. Cost is $30 per person for ages 12 and up, and $25 per person for ages 5-11.
Animal Encounter Tours: Did you ever wish to be toe to toe with a giraffe? Want to be kissed by a camel, or give a treat to a parrot? Our Animal Encounters provide guests with a one-of-a-kind experience. Come monkey around with our zookeepers and learn about our amazing animals during this up-close experience. Choose one of the five unique types of adventures that are available.
• Giraffe Encounter – Come join us behind the scenes to experience an up close view of one of the world’s most gentle giants. See them wrap their tongues around leafy greens while you learn about their natural behaviors and how we care for them daily. This tour is offered for a maximum of 10 people daily at 2 p.m., weather permitting. Advanced reservations required.
• Otter Encounter – Dive right into this amazing animal encounter with our North American River Otters! On this encounter you will get to see the otters up close in their behind the scenes habitat. Watch as they paint you your own personal work of art and enjoy a private training session between the otters and their keeper. This encounter is offered for a maximum of five people Wednesdays through Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Advanced reservations are required and must be scheduled at least 10 days in advance. We recommend calling or emailing before booking this encounter due to availability of keepers.
• Reptile Encounter – On this encounter you will get an up close view of one of the world’s longest living animals, the Aldabra Tortoise. After meeting with our resident tortoise, you’ll be able to visit with our American Alligator, Ike. Experience our reptiles as you learn about their natural behaviors and how we care for them daily. This tour is offered for a maximum of six people Wednesdays through Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Advanced reservations required.We recommend calling or emailing before booking this encounter due to availability of keepers. Reptile encounters are unavailable during the winter season due to weather restrictions. Please call for spring/summer bookings.
• Primate Encounter – Come meet our amazing primates up-close and personal. On this encounter guests will be able to watch a training session between them and their keeper. In addition, you will learn interesting information about our primates and be able to ask their keeper questions. On this tour you will also be able to see their new indoor habitat. This encounter must be scheduled at least ten days in advance. We recommend calling or emailing before booking this encounter due to availability of keepers. Primate encounters are currently unavailable.
• Camel Encounter – Our camels are awaiting your arrival! Step behind the scenes with our expert camel keeper and learn about the amazing adaptions camels have to survive. You will have the opportunity to get up-close with both our Bactrian and Dromedary camels and watch as they munch on some tasty treats. This encounter is offered daily at 2 p.m. Advanced reservations required.
• Aviary Encounter – Step off the beaten path and into our World of Birds. On this tour you’ll have the opportunity to feed some crunchy bugs to the residents of the Aviary. Your group will also be able to meet our flock of flamingos, as well as some of the colorful parrots. This encounter is offered Sunday through Wednesday at 2 p.m. Advanced reservations required. We recommend calling or emailing before booking this encounter due to availability of keepers.
The cost for Animal Encounter Tours is $35 per person for ages 12 and up, and $30 per person for ages 5-11. Off-season, Animal Encounter Tours are limited. Please call (609) 465-6832 or email education@cmczoo.com to inquire about available encounters.
School/Group Tours: Enhance your school field trip or group visit with an action-packed, education-filled, guided zoo tour from one of our Education staff members. If you are coming to visit the zoo with a group of 30 or more, this is an economical way to have one of our experienced Zoo Education Teams guide you. During your tour you will learn interesting facts about the animals under our care here and in the wild, as well as fascinating stories about some of our favorite individual animals. With proper advance notice, we can fine tune your visit and zoological lesson to your class needs. Interactive stops with “biofacts” will be incorporated along your tour, geared for your age group, to further improve your learning experience. There are no behind the scene options with this tour.
• Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten – 20 students maximum with five adults costs $150; additional adults or children are $5 each, but may be broken up into two groups.
• 1st through 5th Grades – 25 students maximum with five adults costs $200; additional adults or children are $5 each, but may be broken up into two groups.
• 6th through 12th Grades – 30 students maximum with five adults costs $250; additional adults or children are $5 each, but may be broken up into two groups.
Zoo To You: Have the zoo come to you! During these outreach programs, you will have the opportunity to meet a few education ambassador animals while learning about the importance of conservation! These interactive programs are great for private preschools, school classrooms/assemblies, clubs, adult lectures, fairs or festivals, assisted living centers, corporate events, private parties and more! Our outreach programs can be tailored to accommodate all age groups and interests.
• Infant to Kindergarten (Day Care Centers & Schools) – $100
This 30-minute presentation will include two to three ambassador animals, biofacts and an age-appropriate lesson. This program includes travel fees for Cape May County. If your location is outside of Cape May County, there will be an extra $1 charge for each mile of travel. Travel distance must not be more than 60 miles from the zoo. Not sure if you’re too far away? Just give us a call.
• 1st through 5th Grades – $150
This 45-minute presentation will include three to four ambassador animals, biofacts and an age-appropriate lesson. This program includes travel fees for Cape May County. If your location is outside of Cape May County, there will be an extra $1 charge for each mile of travel. Travel distance must not be more than 1 hours’ time or 60 miles from the zoo. Not sure if you’re too far away? Just give us a call.
• 6th through 12th Grades/College & Adult – $200
This one hour presentation will include five ambassador animals, biofacts, and an age appropriate lesson. This program includes travel fees for Cape May County. If your location is outside of Cape May County there will be an extra $1.00 charge for each mile of travel. Travel distance must not be more than 1 hours’ time or 60 miles from the zoo. Not sure if you’re too far away? Just give us a call.
• General Audience Outreach – $150
This 45-minute presentation will include four ambassador animals, biofacts and an educational lesson which can be adapted to any age group. An additional presentation can be added (a repeat of the first program) for $75. Please contact the Education Department prior to booking if you would like multiple programs. If your location is outside of Cape May County, there will be an extra $1 charge for each mile of travel. Travel distance must not be more than 1 hours’ time or 60 miles from the zoo. Not sure if you’re too far away? Just give us a call.
• Fairs/Festival Tables – $150
This general outreach option is designed for “educational events” such as fairs, conferences and open houses. For this option we are able to offer a biofact touch table and an animal meet and greet. The base price of this option is $150 for the first hour and $50 for each additional hour. This program includes travel fees for Cape May County. If your location is outside of Cape May County, there will be an extra $1 charge for each mile of travel. Travel distance must not be more than 1 hours’ time or 60 miles from the zoo. Not sure if you’re too far away? Just give us a call.
Our Ambassador Animals: Ambassador animals are living creatures. Therefore, for their safety, comfort and well-being we are not permitted to be in rooms or venues with other animals present. For outdoor venues, weather conditions will determine the species available for that program. Due to the needs/health of our animals, we cannot guarantee a specific animal species for your program. Ambassador animals can only be offsite (including travel time) for a maximum amount of hours. Below are the current themes offered for special programs. Themes are not necessary unless specific animals are requested (none of the animals listed will be guaranteed on the day of your program).
• Miles and Miles of Reptiles – In this program we will explore the scales, slime and all the many features that make reptiles great! Program animals may or may not include: a Blue-Tongued Skink, snake, turtle and/or alligator.
• If I Ran the Rain Forest – In this program we will explore the layers of the rainforest and how each layer is home to some special animals! Program animals may or may not include: a bird, snake, toad, Patagonian Mara and/or alligator.
• Animals Around the World – Come take a trip with us around the world and discover where our animals come from. This program explores the diverse habitats of our planet and the animals that live within them. Learn how certain animals are well suited to live in particular areas. Program animals may or may not include: a Blue-Tongued Skink, Patagonian Mara, snake, wallaby and/or alligator.
• My BIG Backyard – This popular program explores the lives of the creatures living in our own backyards. Meet some of the common animals that we may (or may not) encounter every day. Program animals may or may not include: a skunk, chipmunk, rabbit, snake, chicken and/or turtle.
• Creatures of the Night – Have you ever wondered what animals come out once the sun goes down? This program explains why certain animals are highly active at night, and all their special features that make them the rulers of the dark. Program animals may or may not include: a hedgehog, skunk and/ or an armadillo.
Birthday Parties: Host an extra special zoo-themed birthday party with the Education Department’s Ambassador Animals. Host a party either at your home, a special location or here at the County Park. All birthday party programs will include a T-shirt for the birthday child and a plush animal. Parties held here at Cape May County Park Central will need a pavilion rental. Book early and choose one conveniently located near our playground for extra party fun. Parties are available at 12:30 p.m. daily. Special arrangements can be made with proper planning and notice. Please contact our office if you wish to request a different party time.
• Option 1 – $100
This program offers a “meet and greet” with three domestic animals from our Education Department, including a chicken, bunnies and guinea pigs.
• Option 2 – $200
This program will include an educational presentation including at least three ambassador animals and a variety of biofacts for guest participation. You may choose a theme if you want specific animals, but it is not necessary. Your child and their friends will have the opportunity to interact with our Education Animals and explore exciting biofacts relating to our animals.
Note: To reserve a pavilion for your party at the County Park, please go to ADDITIONAL RESERVATIONS after selecting your party date and options.
Throughout the year we offer:
• Littlest Explorers
• Crafts with Critters
• Jr. Zoo Keeper Workshop
• Scout Programming
• Adopt an Animal
• This summer we have Summer Zoo Camp and Youth Tennis Clinics
• Concerts in the Park are planned for Wednesdays, June 27, July 18 and Aug. 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Yoga in the Zoo is planned for Saturdays, June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18, 8:45-10 a.m.
More events can be found on the Events page of www.cmcZoo.com.
