What kinds of animals will you bring?
We strive to bring a variety of animals including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and/or invertebrates. Animals are chosen based on program theme, location distance from the Zoo, and animal health.
How many animals will you bring?
For our 45-minute presentations, we bring 3-4 diverse animals and a variety of biofacts like skulls, pelts, shells, or feathers. For our 1-2 hour booth programs, we bring 4 live animals that rotate throughout the program, along with a variety of biofacts.
What restrictions are currently in place?
For the health and safety of our staff and animals, if your facility has an outbreak of COVID-19, RSV, flu or other communicable illnesses, please email us to reschedule your program. Also, there are some restrictions in place as to what animals can go off-site. This is because some mammals in our collection could get COVID-19 and to prevent our birds from contracting the avian flu.
How far do you travel?
We are currently traveling up to 90-miles from the Minnesota Zoo within the state of Minnesota for in-person programs. We are proud to offer virtual opportunities to those who are a further distance from the zoo. Due to permits for the animals, we can’t bring them out of Minnesota.
How many locations do you visit in a day?
Usually, each Naturalist only visits one location per day.
How many programs can we do in one day?
Our maximum number of programs for one Naturalist/set of animals is three. If you require more than three programs in one day, we may be able to send out two naturalists with separate groups of animals based on staff availability.
Can I schedule a morning and afternoon program in the same day?
To minimize the travel time for our animals, we have minimum and maximum periods between programs. Naturalists need a minimum of 15 minutes between program start times. The maximum time between the end of one program and the beginning of the next program is 45 minutes.
What time of day can I request a program?
We offer programming Monday through Saturday, based on staff availability. How early or late we can offer programming depends on your location.
When will you arrive?
The Naturalist will arrive between 15 and 30 minutes prior to the scheduled program start time. In case of emergency, which results in your Naturalist not arriving on time, you will be notified via phone call.
How does weather affect our ability to travel?
Minnesota can experience extreme, and often unpredictable, weather. In case of severe weather, we will be happy to reschedule your program for a later date. For the safety and welfare of our animals, we do not leave the Zoo site if the temperatures are below 0 or above 90 (95 with heat index) degrees Fahrenheit. Some of our animals do have temperature restrictions that prevent them from going on programs where the temperatures are either extremely hot or cold. For outdoor program requests, the temperature must be between 60-90 degrees. We may also reschedule programs if there is a weather or traffic emergency due to severe weather, poor visibility, or road conditions.
How do I schedule a Zoomobile Program?
To schedule a Zoomobile program, please complete the Zoomobile Request Form to submit a request. Please note: Programs must be requested more than 2 weeks in advance. Full payment is due 2 weeks in advance. If you have any other questions, email us at [email protected].
Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis up to six months in advance. Many dates are filled months ahead, so make your reservations as early as possible to ensure your preferred date.