Australia Zoo Anyone done the animal encounters? Also...

[kc7gr]

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done any of the animal encounters (the paid/premium experiences) the zoo offers, particularly if you've done the Komodo Dragon, Lemur, Binturong and/or Red Panda.

I'd be especially curious as to whether you think whatever encounter you did would present a problem for someone who wants to participate but is mobility-impaired (arthritis in both knees).

Also... AZ seems to have an odd restriction about photography/videography in their encounters' Terms and Conditions. It reads:

"16. Recording devices (phone, gopro ect) are not permitted during direct interaction with animals during encounters."

I've dropped a query to Guest Services to see if they're willing to explain themselves on this, but I'd be curious to hear other ZooChatter's thoughts about it. Seems to me, if they're really trying to promote the interactive encounters, they'd WELCOME the extra publicity user-shot video of such an event would provide.

Thanks much, happy travels.

 

[TinoPup]

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done any of the animal encounters (the paid/premium experiences) the zoo offers, particularly if you've done the Komodo Dragon, Lemur, Binturong and/or Red Panda.

I'd be especially curious as to whether you think whatever encounter you did would present a problem for someone who wants to participate but is mobility-impaired (arthritis in both knees).

Also... AZ seems to have an odd restriction about photography/videography in their encounters' Terms and Conditions. It reads:

"16. Recording devices (phone, gopro ect) are not permitted during direct interaction with animals during encounters."

I've dropped a query to Guest Services to see if they're willing to explain themselves on this, but I'd be curious to hear other ZooChatter's thoughts about it. Seems to me, if they're really trying to promote the interactive encounters, they'd WELCOME the extra publicity user-shot video of such an event would provide.

Thanks much, happy travels.

Most places in the USA don't allow photography, either, for bts things.

 

[Tricoart]

Most places in the USA don't allow photography, either, for bts things.

That’s a general rule here too, at least for the BOH tours I’ve seen, with quite a few reasons as to why it’s the case. In the context of the encounters, though, seeing as they’re not necessarily all BOH, I’d hazard a guess that it’s mainly due to cameras possibly being distracting to both the guest taking photos/recording, and to the animal (unfamiliar thing, flash photography, etc).

Seems to me, if they're really trying to promote the interactive encounters, they'd WELCOME the extra publicity user-shot video of such an event would provide.

If there’s one thing Australia Zoo doesn’t need more of, it’s social media publicity.

 

[Grus]

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done any of the animal encounters (the paid/premium experiences) the zoo offers, particularly if you've done the Komodo Dragon, Lemur, Binturong and/or Red Panda.

I'd be especially curious as to whether you think whatever encounter you did would present a problem for someone who wants to participate but is mobility-impaired (arthritis in both knees).

Also... AZ seems to have an odd restriction about photography/videography in their encounters' Terms and Conditions. It reads:

"16. Recording devices (phone, gopro ect) are not permitted during direct interaction with animals during encounters."

I've dropped a query to Guest Services to see if they're willing to explain themselves on this, but I'd be curious to hear other ZooChatter's thoughts about it. Seems to me, if they're really trying to promote the interactive encounters, they'd WELCOME the extra publicity user-shot video of such an event would provide.

Thanks much, happy travels.

I'm pretty sure restrictions for most 'non dangerous animal' encounters are only about age at Australia Zoo. Apart from the Komodo Dragon, which may require more flexibility, I cannot see the Lemur/Binturong/Red Panda being a problem. Ditto the other commentary about photography but also Australia Zoo has a Photography Department, a Photographer will host your encounter and 1 or 2 photos are inclusive in the cost(they no doubt try to get you to buy more ).

 

[Always_Amity]

I'd like to hear from anyone who's done any of the animal encounters (the paid/premium experiences) the zoo offers, particularly if you've done the Komodo Dragon, Lemur, Binturong and/or Red Panda.

I'd be especially curious as to whether you think whatever encounter you did would present a problem for someone who wants to participate but is mobility-impaired (arthritis in both knees).

Also... AZ seems to have an odd restriction about photography/videography in their encounters' Terms and Conditions. It reads:

"16. Recording devices (phone, gopro ect) are not permitted during direct interaction with animals during encounters."

I've dropped a query to Guest Services to see if they're willing to explain themselves on this, but I'd be curious to hear other ZooChatter's thoughts about it. Seems to me, if they're really trying to promote the interactive encounters, they'd WELCOME the extra publicity user-shot video of such an event would provide.

Thanks much, happy travels.

I'm very late to this thread, so no idea if my input is even really necessary anymore, but I'll add it regardless:

The 'no filming/photos' rule seems to be somewhat flexible depending on which encounter you're doing. Of the ones I've personally done/witnessed being done, phones were not allowed for the majority, though there were a few exceptions, such as the Meerkat and Wedge-Tailed Eagle encounters.

From what I've heard from keepers, most of the no phones rule is for guest safety, and also in some cases to prevent the phones being damaged by particularly curious or grabby animals. I'd also hazard a guess it's an extra incentive to make them pay for the professional photos done by the zoo photographers to squeeze that little bit more money out of you lol.

As for the specific encounters you listed, I've only done the Komodo Dragon encounter, and it did involve quite a bit of crouching (on rather hot sand, if you do it in the warmer months). Due to the nature of Komodo Dragons and the safety procedures, you need to be able to go from crouching to standing rather quickly, and be able to do it repeatedly.

Based on my knowledge of the Lemur, Red Panda and Binturong encounters, they are done pretty much entirely standing or seated, rather than crouched down.

 

[The Sleepy Hippo]

There are pretty much zero restrictions on BOH tours at Zoos Victoria's zoos.