Wild Encounter - Aldabra Tortoise

Alabdra Tortoise

Come out of your shell and join us on this adventure to meet one of the world's largest tortoises! You will be guided into our Aldabra tortoise habitat where you may have the chance to interact with our two females, Malila and Queenie. Learn all about why touching the shells of these impressive reptiles is a form of enrichment while discovering the importance of their survival in the wild.

Yearly Availability: July & August: The last Aldabra Tortoise Wild Encounter for the 2025 season will be on September 1st.

Capacity: 6

Experience Length: 30-45 minutes

Meeting Location: Twiga Market

Directions: The meeting location is approximately a 20-minute walk from the Front Entrance Gates. Upon entering the zoo, turn left and proceed into Indomalaya, passing the lemurs and the Malayan Woods Pavilion. Once you reach the Indo-Malayan Pavilion, take the boardwalk to the right and head up to Africa. At the top of the boardwalk, turn left into the picnic area, passing the Aldabra tortoise habitat. Continue past up the  the Red River hogs and the African Rainforest pavilion entrance - you will then arrive to Twiga market.

Age Recommendations: Suitable for all ages 

Rules and Policies

Tickets do not include Zoo admission: Zoo admission must be purchased separately

Interaction: This encounter involves the opportunity to touch our Aldabra tortoises, however, 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 under the age of 12 years 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: The Wild Encounters team requires at least 48-hour notice prior to the encounter date to process any refunds or rescheduling. If you do not show up to your encounter on the allotted date and time-slot, your tickets will be forfeited and refunds are not permitted. Please carefully select the date and time of your encounter and ensure that you have selected the correct day and time prior to completing your purchase.

Strollers/Personal Items: There are stroller restrictions at some exhibits and it may be left unattended at times when the tour is inside behind-the-scenes areas.

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible - uneven terrain. Individuals with a disability and require the assistance of a support person, should email us to discuss before making reservations so we can provide the appropriate support needed to ensure the best Wild Encounter experience. However, at this time, we are unable to accommodate service animals in behind-the-scenes areas. 

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.