No matter your reason for seeking out an animal encounter — whether you’re looking for a chance to snuggle with a gentle giant or in search of a thrill — the South is home to numerous opportunities to experience wildlife native to the region and from around the world. Experience swimming with otters, feeding giraffes, and petting an elephant. See big cats, alligators, and whale sharks up close. Grab your adventure buddies and book one of these 10 unforgettable animal encounters.
Big Cat Experience at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Location: Gulf Shores, AL
More info: alabamagulfcoastzoo.com
Spend 45 minutes behind the scenes with the carnivore department at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Guests witness a training session with the large cats, provide treats, help prepare diets, and learn more about the lions, lynx, serval, and clouded leopards. There is no hands-on contact with any cat, and a protective barrier fence is between guests and the animals at all times.
If the big cats send chills down your spine, check out the Capybara Experience, where you can train and interact with Kyra the Capybara and create enrichment for her while she creates a painting for you to take home. The zoo also offers a Junior Zookeeper for a Day experience for kids ages 10 to 16 and a 45-minute behind-the-scenes experience with the giraffes.
Cow Hug Therapy at The Gentle Barn
Location: Christiana, TN
More info: gentlebarn.org
Just 40 miles outside of Nashville, The Gentle Barn is an animal sanctuary for rescued cows, horses, goats, turkeys, pigs, and more. The sanctuary’s mission goes beyond the animals through their programs for children and adults seeking recovery from abuse, addiction, depression, loneliness, and physical and emotional issues.
One program in particular, Cow Hug Therapy, offers an opportunity to find healing with the barn’s gentle giants. Rest your face against a cow’s warm frame, slow your heart rate to the beat of the cow’s, and let yourself relax in its presence. Cow Hug Therapy makes you feel like a newborn against a large, protective, loving frame. Each session is an hour long and perfect for anyone needing a good hug. It can be used in tandem with or outside of traditional talk therapy.
Drive Through Safari at Tennessee Safari Park
Location: Alamo, TN
More info: tennesseesafaripark.com
Take a 7.5-mile drive through Tennessee Safari Park, experience close-up interactions with exotic animals, and have a chance to feed them yourself. You’ll see animals from every continent (except for Antarctica). Watch as they come right up to your car window to say hello — some will even block your path to make sure you greet them! The animals have free range on the 20-acre safari park and enjoy visiting with guests. When you’ve completed the drive, don’t miss the petting zoo or the giraffe feeding station.
Elephant Encounter at Endangered Ark Foundation
Location: Hugo, OK
More info: endangeredarkfoundation.org
Oklahoma is home to the ultimate elephant experience. This intimate excursion takes you to an elephant sanctuary, where you can touch the elephants, feed them, watch the mammals make art, and take an “elphie-selfie.” Experience looking an elephant in the eyes and forge a special bond. Knowledgeable staff are nearby to provide educational demonstrations. Guests also have the chance to assist in bathing an elephant or can have custom footprints made for an additional fee.
Giraffe Feeding at San Antonio Zoo
Location: San Antonio, TX
More info: sazoo.org
Gaze into the eyes of the world’s tallest land mammal at San Antonio Zoo. Guests have the opportunity to stand on a shaded overlook and feed giraffes lettuce, getting up close to this unique animal. Giraffe Feeding tickets are only $5 and can be purchased on the day of your visit or online. Each guest receives two leaves of lettuce. In The Savanna exhibit, you’ll meet the zoo’s three giraffes, Cosmo, Alan, and Brayden.
Kangaroo Kickabout at Nashville Zoo
Location: Nashville, TN
More info: nashvillezoo.org
Stroll through the home of 18 red kangaroos at the Nashville Zoo. Snag a picture with your new friends and enjoy an up-close experience. While guests must stay on the pathway, the kangaroos are free to wander throughout the 4,500 square feet of naturalistic Australian landscape. If a kangaroo wanders onto the trail, visitors can gently pet them on their backs. Zoo keepers are on hand to answer any questions guests may have.
Otter & Capybara Swim Excursion at Wild Acres
Location: Mchenry, MS
More info: wildacresms.com
Head to Wild Acres, an animal eco-retreat and hands-on zoological park in Mississippi, for a chance to swim with adorable Asian small-clawed otters, Billie and Jelly, and South American capybaras, Tyson and Sanders. Splash around in the pool with these creatures in their natural habitat and be prepared for some seriously cute photo ops — otters are known for their curious and playful personalities!
After the swim, guests receive a tour of the zoo and have an opportunity to hand-feed porcupines, capybaras, and cavies. To top off the whole experience, you’ll meet Wild Acres’ two-toed sloth ambassador, Sammy the Sloth, who you can hold, feed, pet, and take pictures with.
Private Dolphin Excursion with Commander Zodiac
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
More info: commanderzodiac.com
Take a 1.5-hour private boat ride through inter-coastal waters to visit the home of the dolphins around Hilton Head Island. This educational experience will bring you close to the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins with plenty of photo opportunities. All tours are private to create a memorable experience for you and your friends or family.
Sea Turtle Care Center at South Carolina Aquarium
Location: Charleston, SC
More info: scaquarium.org
Turn your animal encounter into a conservation experience at the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Care Center™. As a guest at the aquarium, you can interactively support and protect sea turtles. Sea turtles who have undergone traumas such as debilitated turtle syndrome, predation, boat strike wounds, entanglement in marine debris, accidental interactions with fishermen, or exposure to dangerously low temperatures are brought to the aquarium. Meet the sea turtles receiving treatment face-to-face, and watch as the medical staff treat the turtles to get them healthy and ready to return to the ocean.
Subscribe to the Sea Turtle Care Center emails to be the first to know when a rehabilitated turtle is released back into the ocean so that you can witness this incredible moment in person. You can also become a Sea Turtle Guardian to connect with the Care Center on a deeper level. You’ll receive exclusive content and invitations straight from sea turtle biologists.
Swamp Tour with Cajun Encounters
Location: New Orleans, LA
More info: cajunencounters.com
Tour the Honey Island Swamp aboard a small, flat-bottomed boat while listening to local experts share fascinating insights about the swamp’s natural inhabitants — alligators, of course! The expert tour guides hold specialized degrees, guaranteeing an authentic, unforgettable adventure during this two-hour experience. If you want to get even closer to the gators, book a Kayak Swamp Tour to paddle through the wetlands with an expert guide so you can observe the wildlife up close. In addition to alligators, guests can spot wild boars, raccoons, and various birds, including egrets and herons.
Enjoy these adventurous animal encounters!
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