Animal Encounters

Giraffe Feeding

See what it’s like to stand face-to-face with a giraffe at Hemker Park & Zoo’s Giraffe Feeding Station! The feedings take place at 11:00 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm daily. Cost: $5.00/person to feed the giraffe. Learn more about these amazing creatures while feeding them!

*Note: All encounters will be conducted in a protected contact situation. In most cases touching the animal will not be available. (Please note Giraffe feedings happen when the real feel temperature is above 40 degree)

Give an Otter a Snack

Watch these mischievous mammals swim in their pool! They think raw fish are delicious and can’t wait to swim on over for a mouthwatering morsel. Toss the fish into their pool while learning fun facts about otters with one of their keepers!

*Note: All encounters will be conducted in a protected contact situation. In most cases touching the animal will not be available.

Hand Feed A Rhino

Come and join our zookeepers for an unforgettable Rhino feeding experience. Assist our professional in feeding these beautiful creatures while they teach you all about these magnificent creatures and how Hemker Park & Zoo is helping with rhino conservation worldwide!

Space is limited to 20 Spots. Available daily to first come. 

*Note: All encounters will be conducted in a protected contact situation. In most cases touching the animal will not be available.

Buddy Up to The Budgies

Have you experienced the beaming smiles and squeals of delight of bird feeding in the Budgie Buddy House?

The famous Hemker Budgie Buddy House is one of the most popular exhibits at Hemker Park & Zoo.

Our Budgies are fun to get close to. With a seed stick, you will get closer than ever. Walk into our Budgie Buddies House with one of our seed sticks in your hand and watch them swarm.

Feed the Colorful Koi

Watch the lovely colorful Koi at Hemker Park & Zoo swim while feeding them!

These beautiful fish are closely related to fish right here in Minnesota!

Red Panda Experience

Get up-close and personal with our bamboo-loving red pandas during our one-of-a-kind close encounter experience! During this exclusive opportunity, guests will spend time with the Animal Care team while visiting the red pandas in their habitat to learn more about the care and conservation of this endangered species.

Admission to Hemker Park & Zoo is required and NOT included.  All guests under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult. Groups will be combined for a tour of up to 5 guests. We recommend you wear closed-toed shoes as part of this experience. This experience requires some standing and walking. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact us at 320-836-2426.

Please note that once you have booked an experience, you have secured your exclusive reservation. If you do not attend on your scheduled date or cancel within 48 hours of your tour date, no refunds will be issued.

Cuddle with Cookie

Cookie is our beloved ten-foot Boa Constrictor. There is no need to be scared though, she likes to be held. With the help of a zookeeper, we’ll snap a photo souvenir of you and Cookie together! When you’re holding her, gently stroke her scales and you will see that she is not at all slimy.

Are you brave enough to have your photo taken cuddling Cookie, the 8-foot-long boa constrictor?

Get up close With an American Alligator

Have you been eye to eye with an Alligator?

Learn fun and interesting facts about these amazing reptiles! Meet Gator a 2 foot American Alligator!

Pet Ruby The Penguin

Have you ever touched a penguin?

We have a private area for you and/or your group to go and talk with the zookeepers that care for the penguins here at Hemker Park & Zoo. During this time, you will be able to touch one of our penguins while our zookeeper holds the penguin.  Guest are not able to hold the penguins. During this time our zookeepers will discuss where the penguins are from, their adaptions they have, how we care for them, what types of enrichment we do with them, and more fun and interesting facts. This usually lasts about 15/20 minutes. Bring your camera for a photo. At first enjoy the experience and at the end you are welcome to take photos, no video recording is allowed. All proceeds go towards penguin preservation at Hemker Park & Zoo. You can schedule your penguin encounter when you pay your admission.

Don’t walk past this unique experience. Where else can you touch a penguin?

Roo  Rendezvous

Hop on over to meet the most charismatic animals from the outback and get up close with one of our kangaroos! This usually lasts about 15/20 minutes. Bring your camera for a photo. At first enjoy the experience and at the end you are welcome to take photos, no video recording is allowed. 

• Animal encounters offer an opportunity for you to learn more about an animal, observe and, in some cases, interact with an individual animal and the zookeeper(s) caring for the species. Your exclusive encounter will allow you to engage with our dedicated professional staff and learn about the attentive care the animal receives, their behaviors, their unique features and the zoo’s extraordinary work to help save threatened and endangered species.

Don’t hop past this unique and fun experience. 

wild about warthog

Come meet the Zoo’s warthogs! Learn all about the warthogs while you give them scratches with a backscratcher! This experience usually is 15/20 minutes.

Bring your camera for a photo. At first enjoy the experience and at the end you are welcome to take photos, no video recording is allowed.