ZooTampa's Malayan Tiger, Kayu

INSIDE LOOK: New Tours and Experiences at ZooTampa!

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It’s going to be a wild summer at ZooTampa! Not only can you explore the amazing new Florida Waters, where you can let the kids press their noses to the aquarium glass and go nose to snout with the manatees once again, but you can also book all-new experiences to upgrade your day. Several new behind-the-scenes tours scheduled this summer show allow you to talk to the animal keepers who work with the animals daily … including some keepers who are working to save entire species.

And you’ll learn some pretty awesome fun facts along the way. During our recent experience, “Inside Look Tour: Animal Health,” we learned that the zoo’s veterinarians give acupuncture to the animals to help with ailments like limited leg mobility and even have the elephants do yoga to help with their arthritis. Pretty wild, right?

Here’s the breakdown of what’s NEW for this summer!

NEW: Inside Look Tours at ZooTampa

Members: $50 | Non-Members: $65 | 45-minute tour | Ages 5+

There are three new Inside Look Tour themes to choose from, and what your tour will look like will vary based on which animals need care that day. We were able to see a spoonbill chick receive acupuncture on one of its legs, and watched as animal keepers tube-fed a manatee that had been rescued that week. It was pretty incredible to witness and really does give you a whole new appreciation for the work that happens every day here at the Zoo.

Tour Themes:

  • Animal Nutrition: You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at ZooTampa’s Animal Nutrition Center and help the dedicated team prepare food for animals in their care. You may even get to feed the animals, too.
  • Animal Health:This is a chance to step inside the Catherine Lowry Straz Veterinary Hospital, where ZooTampa’s team treats animals of all sizes. You’ll get to chat with a zoo veterinarian about all of the tools they use and how they’re able to keep animals of all sizes happy and healthy.
  • Saving a Species: ZooTampa works with several Species Survival Programs, and you’ll get to see one in action with a behind-the-scenes look at the new Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Center in Florida Waters to learn about how they’re working to save species like the striped newt, Puerto Rican crested toads and Panamanian golden frogs.

NEW: Discover ZooTampa Tour

Members: $120 | Non-Members: $160 | 90-minute tour | Ages 5+

This is the perfect tour for animal lovers and kids who want to grow up to be the next generation of animal keepers. Your family will get to take on the role of an Animal Care Professional and go behind-the-scenes to work alongside the zoo’s dedicated team as they provide world-class care, enrichment activities and training exercises to their wildlife residents.

Also Check Out: 10+ Ways to Upgrade Your Day with Unforgettable Animal Encounters at ZooTampa

Painting with Orangutans

Members: $100 | Non-Members: $140 | Ages 5+

Create a masterpiece to take home with a Bornean Orangutan animal artist! Open to ages 5 and up. This experience will be available on Sundays in June and July at 8:30 a.m. Zoo admission is included with the event ticket.

Learn more and book your tour at zootampa.org

But wait…there’s SO MUCH MORE!

Some of our favorites are the In-Water Stingray Encounter. You’ll get to wade into the water of Stingray Shores, get a glimpse of these beautiful creatures underwater and even feed them. We also love the Giraffe Encounter and Greater One-Horned Rhino Encounter for amazing photos as you feed the animals.

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Originally published in the June 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine