Wild Encounter
Tamandua Time

Tamandua Time!

Join us for a unique opportunity to meet Yzma or Pacha, our resident tamanduas, relatives of the giant anteater and the only ones in an AZA-accredited facility in Canada. During this encounter, you may have the chance to offer them a treat and observe their specialized adaptations up close, including their elongated tongues for feeding and prehensile tails for climbing. Learn how these fascinating lesser anteaters play an important role in their native ecosystems and what conservation efforts are in place to protect them.

Offering: June-October

Capacity: 6

Experience Length: 20-30 minutes

Meeting Location: Discovery Zone Courtyard

Directions: The meeting location is approximately a 5-minute walk from the Front Entrance Gates. After entering the zoo, continue straight until you reach the meeting location. 

Age Recommendations: Suitable for all ages

Rules and Policies

Age restrictions: Guests must be 12 years or older to participate in this encounter. Participants who do not meet the age requirement will not be permitted to join, and refunds will not be issued 

Interaction: This encounter may involve the opportunity to touch and feed the tamandua. It is up to the animals to choose to participate, and we cannot guarantee the duration of time the animals will spend engaging with us. Staff also have the ability to deny feeding, or change the encounter based on the animals’ health, safety, and behavioural needs.

Drugs & Alcohol: Impairment due to alcohol or drugs is not permitted before or during your Wild Encounter. Anyone who is drinking or appears to be even slightly intoxicated before the Wild Encounter will be denied participation. Refunds or alternate dates will not be given.

Adult Supervision: Children aged 12 years or younger must be accompanied by a paying adult (at least 18 years of age)

Children 2 & Under: To maintain guest capacity limits, tickets (free of charge) are mandatory for all children 2 & under. 

Reschedule/Cancellation: By purchasing tickets, you are agreeing to the following refund policy. Exceptions will not be made. The Wild Encounters team requires at least 48 hours’ notice prior to your scheduled encounter to process any refund or rescheduling requests. Failure to attend your encounter at the scheduled date and time will result in forfeiture of your tickets, and refunds will not be issued. Please ensure you arrive at the designated meeting location before your scheduled start time. Late arrivals or guests who are unable to locate the meeting point will not be eligible for refunds. We recommend reviewing your confirmation details carefully and allowing extra time to navigate the Zoo. 

Weather conditions: The Wild Encounter program runs rain or shine unless cancelled due to thunder and lightning/extreme weather alerts by the Zoo due to guest, staff, and animal safety concerns. If this occurs, a notice will be sent out upon cancellation for guests to reschedule or receive a refund. 

Strollers/Personal Items: Strollers/wagons are permitted to be brought behind-the-scenes

Accessibility: This experience is wheelchair accessible. Guests with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person are encouraged to email us before making a reservation so we can provide the appropriate support and ensure the best possible Wild Encounter experience. At this time, service animals cannot be accommodated in behind-the-scenes areas. The Access 2 Card is accepted for support persons. 

Fees: A processing fee of $1.00 per ticket will be applied at checkout.

Please contact us at wildencounters@torontozo.com or call us at 289-200-4362 for more information.