ZOOBUILDERS
Zookeeper-led Animal Encounters
DONATE TO OUR PROJECTS!
Valley Zoo Development Society
The Valley Zoo Development Society (VZDS) is a registered charity and friend of the Edmonton Valley Zoo (EVZ). The VZDS is proud to take a lead role in the EVZ’s stunning transformation into a special place that inspires love and learning of the natural world.
Impact of Your Support
Children are fascinated by the natural world, especially by animals. By providing them with a fun setting where they can learn about animals & nature, we can create life-long ambassadors for the long-term health of our planet.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!
The ZooBuilder Program
Looking for a meaningful local adventure in Edmonton? Searching for a unique, behind-the-scenes experience at the Edmonton Valley Zoo? The ZooBuilder Program offers an unforgettable way to connect with wildlife while directly supporting the future of the zoo.
ZooBuilder experiences are intimate, zookeeper-led encounters that give guests a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and learn how our animals are cared for every day. Designed to be both educational and engaging, these small-group experiences bring you closer to the animals, the habitats they call home, and the people dedicated to their wellbeing.
When you make a donation through the ZooBuilder Program, you are directly supporting the revitalization of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Your generosity helps improve animal habitats, fund future projects, and ensure that generations of Edmonton families can continue to enjoy, learn from, and feel inspired by the zoo for years to come.
The ENCOUNTERS
The ZooBuilder Program currently offers three unique behind-the-scenes animal encounters: Sloths, Red Pandas, and Seals. Each experience is a private, small-group encounter for up to four people, with only one ZooBuilder experience offered per animal each week. Book now for a rare opportunity to connect with your favourite animals while supporting the ongoing revitalization of the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
1-2 Person Encounter
DONATION OF $250.00
Whether you’re visiting solo or with a guest, the ZooBuilder Program offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Each ZooBuilder encounter is educational, engaging, and 60 minutes in length.
Click on one of the ZooBuilder experiences above to view availability and book your encounter.
** When you donate $250.00 through the ZooBuilder 1-2 Person Encounter, you will receive a tax receipt in the amount of $150.00.
3-4 PERSON ENCOUNTER
DONATION OF $500.00
Bring your family or a small group of friends and enjoy a ZooBuilder adventure at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. ZooBuilder programs are designed to be educational and engaging, with each experience lasting 60 minutes.
Click on one of the ZooBuilder experiences above to view availability and book your encounter.
** When you donate $500.00 through the ZooBuilder 3–4 Person Encounter, you will receive a tax receipt in the amount of $370.00.
Friend of the Zoo
Support the Edmonton Valley Zoo by becoming a Friend of the Zoo. Your donation of $49 to $249 helps fund revitalization projects and improvements for the zoo’s animals and habitats, ensuring that future generations of Edmonton families can continue to enjoy and learn from the zoo.
As a thank you for your support, you will receive an official tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference, and the Valley Zoo Development Society is deeply grateful for your contribution.
Wondering what to expect from your ZooBuilder experience or how your donation helps the Edmonton Valley Zoo? Find answers to frequently asked questions below.
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is a Zoobuilder?
The Zoobuilder Program offers unique, zookeeper-led behind-the-scenes experiences at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. These 60-minute tours give you an up-close look at animal care while supporting the zoo’s revitalization.
What Zoobuilder Experiences are available?
Currently, three Zoobuilder Experiences are available:
- Red Panda Zoobuilder Experience
- Seal Zoobuilder Experience
- Sloth Zoobuilder Experience
Additional animal experiences are not available at this time, but stay tuned for possible future additions.
What makes the Zoobuilder Experience different from a regular zoo visit?
Unlike a standard zoo visit, Zoobuilder Experiences offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access, smaller group sizes, and direct interaction with animal care experts. These experiences are designed to be educational, immersive, and engaging.
BOOKING & AVAILABILITY
How do I book a Zoobuilder Experience?
Zoobuilder Experiences can only be booked online through this webpage and must be booked at least three weeks in advance to ensure staff availability.
What days are Zoobuilder Experiences offered?
Zoobuilder Experiences are offered on Saturdays only.
Why isn’t my preferred date available?
If a date is not showing as available, it means the experience has already been fully booked or is not being offered on that day. Zoobuilder Experiences are limited-capacity and book up quickly. We offer a limited number of encounters to prioritize animal wellbeing.
Are additional dates added throughout the year?
We intentionally limit the number of Zoobuilder Experiences available to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of the animals involved.
Do dates ever reopen after being fully booked?
Occasionally, a date may reopen if an existing booking is cancelled. When this happens, the date will automatically become available again on our website.
Is there a cancellation or waitlist?
No. We do not maintain a cancellation list or waitlist. Guests interested in a specific date must check the Zoobuilder booking page directly for real-time availability.
How do Zoobuilder donations support the zoo?
When you donate through the ZooBuilder Program or as a Friend of the Zoo, your contribution directly supports animal habitats, exhibits, and future zoo projects, ensuring generations of families can continue to enjoy the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
Can I give a ZooBuilder experience as a gift?
Yes! ZooBuilder experiences make unique and memorable gifts. Check our booking system to select the date and animal encounter, and include a personal note if sending as a gift.
PRICING & GROUP SIZE
How much does a Zoobuilder Experience cost?
- 1-2 person experience: $250
- 3-4 person experience: $450
All participants must be paid attendees.
How many people can attend one Zoobuilder Experience?
Each experience is limited to either 1-2 or 3-4 total participants. This maximum includes all adults and youth participants.
AGE REQUIREMENTS & SUPERVISION
Is there a minimum age to participate?
Yes, the minimum age to participate is 13 years old.
Participants under 18 must be accompanied by at least one paid adult guardian who is part of the same Zoobuilder Experience and counts toward the group maximum. This ensures the safety of all participants and animals, and allows younger guests to fully enjoy the experience.
Can youth participate on their own?
Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a paid adult attendee who is part of the same Zoobuilder Experience and counts toward the group size.
Can we add an extra adult to supervise minors?
No. Any supervising adult counts toward the group maximum. For example, a group cannot include four youth participants plus an adult. The total group size may not exceed 2 or 4 people.
Why are there age restrictions?
Age requirements help ensure participant and animal safety, and allow guests to fully engage with the educational content and behind-the-scenes environment.
WHAT TO EXPECT & DAY OF INFORMATION
Will participants touch or feed the animals?
No. For the wellbeing of our animals, participants are not able to touch or feed animals during Zoobuilder Experiences.
Am I guaranteed to interact with a specific animal?
No. While you’ll see and learn about the species involved in your experience, interactions are never guaranteed. All animal participation is voluntary and up to the animals on the day of your visit.
Where do we check in on the day of?
All participants must check in at the Zootique with all members of their party at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Who will be leading my encounter?
Your experience will be led by one of our experienced zookeepers.
What should I wear?
Closed-toe shoes are required. Guests should dress for the weather, as portions of the experience may take place outdoors.
Can I explore the zoo before or after my Zoobuilder Experience?
Yes. You’re welcome to explore the zoo before or after your Zoobuilder Experience during regular zoo hours.
What time do Zoobuilder Experiences start?
Programs start promptly at their scheduled times:
- Seal Zoobuilder: 11:00 am
- Red Panda Zoobuilder: 1:30 pm
- Sloth Zoobuilder: 2:30 pm
Late arrivals may not be accommodated.
CANCELLATIONS, RESCHEDULING & REFUNDS
Are Zoobuilder bookings refundable?
No. All Zoobuilder bookings are non-refundable, as fees are considered donations, except in the rare event of a zoo-initiated cancellation.
What happens if we arrive late?
Once the program has started and the assigned zookeeper has left the check-in area with the group, no additional guests may join. Guests arriving after this point will forfeit their program and are not eligible for refunds or rescheduling.
If an entire group does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the booking will be classified as a no-show.
Can I reschedule my Zoobuilder Experience?
Rescheduling requests are allowed up to three weeks before the scheduled date and are subject to availability. Requests within three weeks cannot be accommodated, and the full booking fee will be forfeited.
What happens if the zoo cancels the program?
In rare circumstances (e.g., extreme weather or unforeseen events), the zoo may cancel a program. Participants will be offered the chance to rebook for a future date, with refunds being a last resort.
ACCESSIBILITY & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Are Zoobuilder Experiences accessible?
While all public areas of the Edmonton Valley Zoo are fully accessible, some behind-the-scenes areas visited during Zoobuilder Experiences may not be fully accessible due to the nature of animal habitats and operational spaces.
Participants are asked to disclose any physical, cognitive, or sensory needs at the time of booking. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of mobility devices, wheelchairs, or assistive devices. It is the participant’s responsibility to notify staff of any changes prior to the experience.
Important Considerations for All Participants:
- All Zoobuilder Experiences involve traversing uneven terrain, and standing for extended periods.
- Guests may encounter strong smells and loud noises during the experience.
- Sloth Zoobuilder Experiences are not accessible, as the habitat requires a flight of stairs to enter and exit.
- Red Panda & Seal Experiences can accommodate wheelchair or mobility device users with advance notice, though this may impact the program experience.
Staff will work with participants to provide the best possible experience within these limitations while prioritizing safety and animal welfare.
WEATHER
Are Zoobuilder Experiences held in all weather?
Yes. Zoobuilder Experiences run rain or shine. Staff may adjust activities or move portions of the experience indoors as needed to ensure participant safety and animal wellbeing.
Programs will only be cancelled if extreme conditions result in the zoo being closed, such as severe lightning, unsafe temperatures, or high winds. In the rare event of a zoo-initiated cancellation due to weather, participants will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a refund.
PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA
Can I take photos or videos during my Zoobuilder Experience?
Guests may use personal devices to take photos and videos. Only images captured in public areas may be shared online. The zookeeper leading your experience will identify which areas are public.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited in all animal holding areas as it can startle or stress the animals.
Is professional photography or livestreaming allowed?
No. Professional photography, videography, livestreaming, or use of equipment like tripods, lighting, or microphones is not permitted without prior written authorization.
TAX RECEIPTS
Is my Zoobuilder Donation Tax-Deductible?
Yes. You’ll receive a charitable tax receipt for the following amount:
- $150 for the 1-2 person program
- $370 for the 3-4 person program
When will I receive a tax receipt?
A tax receipt will be mailed to the billing address on your purchase order after your booking is confirmed.
Can I get a refund after receiving a tax receipt?
Once a tax receipt has been issued, bookings are legally non-refundable under any circumstances.
MISCELLANEOUS
What is the Avian Influenza safety protocol?
To protect the health of our animals, guests must refrain from handling or interacting with any birds (wild or domestic) within 24 hours of their ZooBuilder experience. Guests are also required to wear clean clothing and footwear that has not recently been in contact with birds or avian environments, such as farms, aviaries, or sanctuaries. These precautions help keep our animals safe while allowing you to enjoy a close, behind-the-scenes experience.
What happens if I cannot follow the program rules?
The safety of our animals, staff, and guests is paramount. If rules cannot be followed, the encounter may be rescheduled. Refunds are not provided if a program is canceled due to non-compliance with rules.
How do Zoobuilder donations support the zoo?
When you donate through the ZooBuilder Program or as a Friend of the Zoo, your contribution directly supports animal habitats, exhibits, and future zoo projects, ensuring generations of families can continue to enjoy the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
I accidentally booked an encounter with one animal, but I wanted a different one that wasn’t available. What can I do?
We understand mistakes happen. Zoobuilder Experiences are booked by animal and date, and availability is very limited. If the animal you were hoping to see wasn’t available at the time of booking, we are unfortunately not able to switch your reservation. We ask that you double-check the selected experience before completing your booking.
Can I give a ZooBuilder experience as a gift?
Yes! ZooBuilder experiences make unique and memorable gifts. Check our booking system to select the date and animal encounter, and include a personal note if sending as a gift.