Experience Policies

• $100 per person
• Max of 4 people allowed for each experience
• Ages 8 and up
• Ages 8-11 need a participating, ticketed chaperone (16+)
• Experience is not guaranteed private unless you book all 4 slots
• Zoo admission is required but is not included in the experience purchase
• All sales are final. No refunds. No rescheduling. Do not be late. We will start on time. Arrive at the zoo 30 minutes before reservation time to check in.
• Experience offered (light) rain or shine. Heavy rain may result in a delay or cancellation. A refund may be offered if Metro Richmond Zoo cancels the experience due to weather or other factors. (No umbrellas while in the habitat. Rain jackets and ponchos are permitted.)
• You may be rescheduled if we do not reach our 2-person minimum for each time slot.
• Physical requirements for the experience and to access behind-the-scenes areas: Guests must be able to enter the habitat through a passageway that is 3 feet wide, 57 inches tall, and 12 feet long (ducking may be required).

What to Expect

• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes (Clothes may get dirty or wet)
• Arrive at the zoo front entrance to check in for the experience and sign a waiver 30 minutes before reservation time
• Meet at the hippo statue underneath the Hippo Haven exhibit sign 5 minutes prior to reservation time
• Follow zoo team member behind the scenes to access the outdoor hippo habitat
• Receive safety instructions and follow team member into the habitat
• View Iris and Poppy from a safety zone inside the habitat with potential opportunities to feed them
• You will be standing near their pool and you may splashed with water or poop. What a magical memory that would make!
• Photos and videos are welcome (a wrist strap is encouraged to prevent phone or camera from falling into the habitat)

Safety

• Participants must sign a waiver in person before beginning the experience
• Participants must follow all instructions from team member
• Failure to follow instructions will result in removal from experience without a refund

Iris and Poppy have the choice of where to spend their time, and it is possible they may not approach the experience participants. Each experience will vary.