Behind-the-Scenes Stork and Tortoise Experience

Q: What is included in the Stork and Tortoise Experience?
A: During your Stork and Tortoise Experience, you will meet our impressive marabou storks and giant African spurred tortoise up close. First, you will feed our storks and take photos with them. Next, you will feed our tortoise, give him shell scratches, and pose for photos. You may ask the zookeepers any questions you have. You will then receive a souvenir to remember your experience.

Q: Can I touch the storks and tortoise?
A: You may touch the tortoise on his shell—he seems to really enjoy scratches. The storks are look-only animals, but you may feed them and take photos with them.

Q: Can I take pictures during the Stork and Tortoise Experience?
A: You may take photos throughout your Stork and Tortoise Experience under the direction of the zoo staff. Zoo staff may also take photos for you upon request.

Q: Where does the Stork and Tortoise Experience take place?
A: The Stork and Tortoise Experience will begin near the Ararat Ridge Zoo’s main entrance gates. Guests will then be escorted by zoo staff to the stork and tortoise habitat for their experience. In the event of inclement weather, the experience will take place inside their barn.

• Ark admission is not included in the cost of the Stork and Tortoise Experience. Guests must also purchase tickets to the Ark Encounter to participate in the Stork and Tortoise Experience. Ticket prices can be found here: https://ArkEncounter.com/tickets/.
• While our zoo staff works hard to ensure a safe and fun experience, every guest participating in the Stork and Tortoise Experience must sign a waiver of liability while making their reservations.
• Children must be six years or older to participate in the Stork and Tortoise Experience.
• Children ages 6–17 must be accompanied by at least one paid adult to participate in the Stork and Tortoise Experience.
• Due to the nature of the animals and habitat design, the Stork and Tortoise Experience is not ADA-accessible.
• Participating guests must be comfortable standing for 30 minutes. During the stork portion of the interaction, guests will be required to wear our provided sanitized plastic glasses. If they choose to feed the storks, they must also wear provided disposable gloves (non-latex) because the storks eat frozen/thawed prey items. Guests may opt out of the stork portion of the experience if they are uncomfortable with glasses, gloves, or prey items.
• Guests must follow the directions of the zoo staff and should remain calm, quiet, and respectful throughout the program. If guests do not comply, the Stork and Tortoise Experience may be ended for those guests with no refund at the discretion of the zoo staff.

• Guests may cancel their Stork and Tortoise Experience up to one week in advance for a full refund.
• Guests who cancel their Stork and Tortoise Experience less than one week in advance will not receive a refund. No-shows will not receive a refund.
• If none of the animals choose to participate or a situation occurs that prevents the Stork and Tortoise Experience from happening, guests will receive a full refund and the chance to reschedule.
• The Stork and Tortoise Experience will start promptly at 12:00 p.m. Due to the busy schedule of our zoo staff, they cannot postpone the experience for latecomers or no-shows. Please plan to arrive at the Ark Encounter by 10:30 a.m. on the day of your experience to allow ample time for parking, riding the shuttle, bathroom breaks, and walking to the zoo.