Shows & Activities

Hippo Encounter Tour

Encounter is offered on weekends and holidays – Tickets go on sale two months prior to each date.

Experience a unique up-close, behind-the-scenes opportunity to meet our beloved hippos, Mara and baby Rosie. Staff will share details about their daily care, training, and feeding. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is available only at the Los Angeles Zoo on weekends and holidays at 12 p.m. (Separate fee required.)

• General visitors may purchase tickets at any Admissions ticket window.
• Zoo Members may purchase tickets at Admissions Window #11
• The minimum age requirement is four years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• All participants must sign the Waiver and Release of Claims, included on the e-ticket.

Purchase Tickets*!

*Capacity is limited, and tickets sell out quick. If tickets are not available, please check back for updates. 

Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo

Explore a previously off-limits part of the Zoo with 17 moving, roaring, snarling, claw-bearing animatronic dinosaurs. Your adventure also includes a fossil dig and photo ops, plus fascinating facts about these mighty creatures and how they compare with animals at the Zoo. Open daily at 10 a.m. Last entry at 4 p.m. This is a separately ticketed event.

$5 for ages 2 and older (in addition to Zoo admission or GLAZA membership)

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Presentations & Keeper Talks (New!)

Learn more about some of the L.A. Zoo’s animal residents from the people who know them best—our amazing animal keepers, education specialists, and docents! Different talks and activities are available each day. Click on the event title for more information.

See Full Schedule

World of Birds Show –

Angela Collier World of Birds Theater

Every day, except Tuesday, at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Launched by a major gift from the Angela Collier Foundation in memory of Angela Collier, the new Angela Collier World of Birds Theater re-opened to the public in 2014. The new structure features Mediterranean-themed architecture with a two-story stage to better demonstrate birds’ natural behaviors. The stone façade and archways provide a stunning Old World backdrop that enhances the performances created by Lead Keeper Jon Guenther and the rest of our skilled bird show staff, who have incorporated new demonstrations and flying feats. The facility includes an A/V system to control music, sound, and cue the trainers. Cameras and monitors view and record every part of the facility—onstage, backstage, and offstage. The backstage area houses bird caging, food prep, and storage, and is equipped with power, lighting, and a drainage system for efficient cleaning. The pristine lawn was provided as an in-kind donation by Diamond Landscaping, Inc. More than 20 species of birds perform in the show, including macaws, condors, vultures, crane, hornbill, hawks, owls, and eagles. Phoenix, the Harris’ hawk, preforms the most notable behavior by flying off the hill, through the turret at a tremendous speed, and landing on a trainer’s glove stationed in the stands.

Elephant Training Demonstration

Visit the Wasserman Family Thai Pavilion at the Elephants of Asia habitat to observe a training demonstration led by L.A. Zoo animal keepers. Daily (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) at 11 a.m. 

The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel

Made possible by a generous gift from Ann and Jerry Moss, this amazing addition to the Zoo experience features 64 unique hand-carved wooden figures and a universally accessible standing chariot. Located next to Treetops Terrace.

• Open daily: 10:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.*
• $3 per ride (revenue helps fund programs at the Zoo)
• Children under 42 inches in height must be accompanied by one adult (at no additional charge)

Muriel’s Ranch

Visit the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo to get up close with our goats and sheep in the animal contact area known as Muriel’s Ranch, made possible by a generous gift from the Max H. Gluck Foundation. Fifteen sweet-tempered baby Nigerian Dwarf goats were added to the Ranch in late 2012, and the Zoo has seen newborn additions to the family of goats in the years that have followed. This species only reaches a height of around two feet, and the adults weigh in between 20 and 50 pounds. These colorful and curious species are a kid-friendly size and a must-see for the young and young-at-heart! We have brushes available for you to groom these fun domestic animals! Open each day from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 1:30–4 p.m.

The California Condor Rescue Zone (CCRZ)

The CCRZ is a fun, facilitated play space designed for children ages six and up. In an exciting immersive environment, children discover what it takes to protect California condors and the important role the L.A. Zoo plays in saving this amazing species. Open Saturdays, Sundays, and City holidays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Animals & You Program

You’re sure to have a wild time during these close-up creature encounters! These 15-minute long animal close-ups take place at stations in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo on weekdays at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. and on weekends at 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:45 p.m. (subject to availability). Particular animals vary and are not listed for a certain day or time. The program consists of the following animals that rotate through the Animals & You stations:

Neil Papiano Play Park

The Neil Papiano Play Park (located in the upper Zoo along the perimeter road) incorporates animal-themed climbing sculptures, large play structures, a toddler area, water misters, grassy landscaping, and a large picnic area. It was specially designed to be accessible to all children visiting the Zoo, including those with medical and physical challenges.

Audio Tour

Available both in English and in Spanish, the L.A. Zoo audio tour features 14 of our most weird and wonderful animals! You can hear the information from your computer or by calling on your cell phone at the Zoo. For English, call 866/933-4005. For Spanish, call 866/933-4006. More information is available in your Zoo Map handout.

Click here to listen to the audio tour.

*Activities and schedules may vary or be subject to cancellation due to weather conditions or animal needs.