When people hear the words animal encounters, they sometimes assume they’re mostly for kids.
We see things a little differently at Wild World of Animals.
Kids are definitely excited when they get close to an animal they’ve only seen in pictures or videos. But we’ve also watched plenty of adults light up when they finally get to meet an animal they’ve been interested in for years.
Sometimes the adults are the ones asking the most questions.
Located in Bentleyville, PA, Wild World of Animals offers animal encounters near Pittsburgh with sloths, capybaras, kangaroos, tigers and other animals. It’s a chance to slow down, get a closer look and notice things you probably wouldn’t from the other side of a traditional zoo exhibit.
Everybody Seems to Have a Favorite
Ask a group of people which animal they’d most like to meet and you’ll probably get a few different answers.
Some people have wanted to meet a sloth forever. Capybaras have built quite a following over the past few years. Younger kids may immediately pick a kangaroo, while someone else has always wanted to see a tiger up close.
That’s why we offer several different animal encounters.
Before you make plans, there’s one important thing to know. Each encounter is a separate experience. Booking a Sloth Encounter, for example, does not include the Capybara, Kangaroo or Tiger & Big Cat Encounter.
Each one is reserved separately and has its own price, age requirement and experience details. If there are two animals you really want to meet, you’ll need to book both encounters.
Want to Meet a Sloth?
Our Sloth Encounter is one of those experiences people tend to have on their bucket list.
Guests get about 30 minutes to spend time around a sloth, including the opportunity to pet it, hold it on their lap and take pictures.
The current price is $99 per person with a two-person minimum, and participants must be at least 8 years old.
It’s indoors and available year-round, so meeting a sloth doesn’t have to depend on the weather outside.
Yes, You Can Meet a Capybara Too
There’s a big difference between watching capybara videos on your phone and actually standing next to one.
The Capybara Encounter gives guests time to pet, feed and interact with a capybara while learning more about the animal along the way.
Kids can participate starting at age 6, and the encounter is currently $79 per person with a two-person minimum.
If somebody in your family has suddenly become obsessed with capybaras, you probably already know which encounter they’re going to choose.
Kangaroos — Plus a Few Surprises
For families with younger kids, the Kangaroo Encounter has a minimum age of 4 years old.
It’s currently $75 per person with a two-person minimum and is offered seasonally.
Kangaroos aren’t necessarily the only animals you may meet during the experience, either. Depending on the encounter, there may be an opportunity to see some of the other animals that call Wild World of Animals home.
Sometimes the animal you weren’t expecting to meet ends up being the one everybody talks about on the ride home.
For the Big Cat Fans
Then there’s the Tiger & Big Cat Encounter.
It’s difficult to get a real sense of the size and presence of a big cat from a picture or video. Seeing one much closer is different.
During this approximately 45-minute experience, guests can learn more about the big cats and see them from a perspective most people don’t normally get.
The current price is $150 for one participant or $125 per person for two or more participants. Guests must be 8 or older.
Like the other options, the Tiger & Big Cat Encounter is booked separately and requires its own reservation.
Kids and Adults Usually Notice Different Things
One thing we notice during animal encounters is that kids and adults often pay attention to completely different things.
A child meeting a capybara might be completely focused on feeding it.
The adult standing next to them starts asking what it eats in the wild.
Someone may come in because they want a picture with a sloth, then spend half the encounter watching its claws and wondering how it moves through trees.
You don’t have to know much about wildlife before you arrive. Part of the fun is getting a closer look, noticing things you hadn’t thought about before and learning more about the animal while you’re there.
After more than 30 years of working with and caring for wild animals, we’ve found that there’s usually something new for people to discover once they’re standing this close.
A Different Idea for Someone Who’s Hard to Shop For
Animal encounters can also solve another problem: what do you buy for someone who doesn’t really need anything?
If your daughter has been talking about capybaras nonstop, she probably doesn’t need another capybara T-shirt.
Maybe she’d rather meet one.
The same goes for the person who’s always loved sloths, kangaroos or big cats.
A birthday, anniversary, graduation or even a weekend when you’re looking for something different to do can be a good reason to finally book the encounter you’ve been talking about.
Looking for Animal Encounters Near Pittsburgh?
You don’t have to travel across the country to get close to some pretty incredible animals.
Wild World of Animals is located in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh, making it an option for families, couples and animal lovers looking for animal encounters in Western Pennsylvania.
Before making your plans, check the details for the animal you want to meet. Prices, age requirements, availability and encounter details vary, and each encounter must be booked separately.
Reservations are required.
Wild World of Animals
295 School Road
Bentleyville, PA 15314
724-239-5511
Visit www.wildworldofanimals.org to learn more about our animal encounters in Pennsylvania and decide which animal you’d like to meet.
