Wild Encounter - White Rhino

White Rhino

Get up close and personal with one of the world’s largest land mammals in our exclusive White Rhino Encounter. During this hands-on experience, you’ll have the rare opportunity to touch an adult white rhino while learning how this interaction contributes to their enrichment. You’ll also discover more about the unique behaviors of rhinos and the important conservation efforts dedicated to protecting them in the wild. This experience offers a deeper connection to these majestic animals and the work being done to ensure their survival.

Availability: Year round

Capacity: 6

Experience Length: 30-45 minutes

Meeting Location: Penguin Habitat Entrance

Directions: : The meeting location is approximately a 20-minute walk from the Front Entrance Gates. Upon entering the zoo, turn right and proceed past Goat World into the Core Woods. When you see the Caribou Café and the airplane, take the path to the left towards Africa and the Americas. Follow the boardwalk on your left up to Africa, and at the top, take the path to your right towards the African Savanna. Continue straight until you reach the African penguins at the entrance to Kesho park. 

Age Restrictions: Age Restrictions: Children aged 2 and under are not permitted on this Wild Encounter. Participants who do not meet the age requirement will not be permitted to join, and refunds will not be issued.

Age Recommendation: Recommended for ages 10+

Rules and Policies

Guest Requirements: Guests must wear close-toed shoes.

Wild Encounter tickets do not include Zoo admission: Zoo admission must be purchased separately 

Interaction: This encounter involves the opportunity to touch an adult rhino. 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 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)

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. 

Personal Items: Guests will be required to remove any large items such as wagons, umbrellas, or bags in a secured area in the rhino barn prior to meeting the rhinos. Cameras are permitted behind-the-scenes with the rhinos.

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.