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Frequently Searched Terms

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Staff Resources

Make Every Zoo Visit Great

It’s easy to make a guest’s day better—it all starts with you! Use these resources to find answers to common guest questions and problems. If you’d like to see something added here, email Dan Christmas in Guest Engagement.

Current Zoo Map
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Quick Links
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Food & Beverage

New this year: all new food & beverage options from Aramark! Tiger Terrace is currently closed for renovations, but there are many other options around the Zoo.

More Info
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Animals

Check the link below for information and locations of our animals. If you need more assistance, contact the Animal Department or anyone in ConEd!

More Info
A KidZooU keeper walks a pony on the Zoo's path.

Wildlife Chats

If guests are looking to do something special with their day, tell them about our Wildlife Chats! These are offered throughout the day and allow guests to meet staff, see a feeding or training session, and get to know more about our animals.

Chat Schedule
A Zoo staff member feeds a bird inside the Wings of the World attraction.

Attractions

Encourage guests to make the most of their visit by participating in one of our attractions, like the carousel or giraffe feeding. Hours and pricing can be found at the link below.

More Info
Two Philadelphia Zoo members stand in front of the iconic elephant statue located near the front gate.

Membership

Did you know that guests can apply the cost of their tickets to a membership? Direct them to the Guest Services podium at North Gate for assistance, and find out about the different levels of membership through the link below.

Membership Options
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Spotlight Series

New this year: the Spotlight Series! During these weekends, guests can dive deep into specific animals or conservation stories while they enjoy educational activities and special animal experiences.

Spotlight Series Schedule
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Lost or Found Person

Remember these important tips for handling a lost or found person. While most of these occurrences happen with children, they may also occur with older adults or special needs individuals of any age.

Lost child: This occurs when a someone reports a lost child.

1) Inform the adult that they need to stay with you. Do not let them walk away!
2) Get a description (name, appearance, clothing) and last known location of the lost person.
3) If you have a radio, call Public Safety on Channel 1 and tell them that you need to report a lost child/adult/person. If you do not have a radio, use your cell phone to call 215-243-5240.
4) Provide Public Safety with the description, last known location, and your current location.
5) Wait with the reporting adult until Public Safety arrives.

Found child: This occurs when you find a child who has become separated from their adult(s).

1) Approach the child slowly and calmly. Say hello and let them know that you work at the Zoo. Ask them if they are by themselves and need help finding their adults.
2) Once the child confirms that they need assistance, ask them for their name, the names of their adults, and if they remember the last animal they saw together. Some children may choose not to speak with you—they still need to be reported as lost!
3) If you have a radio, call Public Safety on Channel 1 or 2 and tell them that you need to report a lost child/adult/person. If you do not have a radio, use your cell phone to call 215-243-5240.
4) Provide Public Safety with the description, last known location of the adults, and your current location.
5) Wait with the child until Public Safety arrives. Speak with them about their day, ask them about their favorite animal, keep them entertained—but do not pick up or restrain the child!

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Lost & Found Items

If you find an item, or an item is given to you by another guest and reported as lost:

1) If given to you by a guest, ask them when and where they found it.
2) Take the item directly to Gate H.
3) If a guest stops you on the way to claim the lost item, you will need them to positively identify the item in some way. For cell phones, they can unlock the phone or they can have someone call it. For purses or bags, they will need to identify the contents. If a guest is unable to prove that the item belongs to them, you will need to take them to Gate H along with the item and pass it to Public Safety to handle.

If a guest reports a list item or asks if their item has been turned in:

1) Ask the guest to describe the item in as much detail as possible.
2) If you have a radio, call Public Safety on Channel 1 or 2 and tell them that you need to report a lost child/adult/person. If you do not have a radio, use your cell phone to call 215-243-5240.
3) Ask Public Safety if an item matching that description has been turned in. If yes, walk the guest to Gate H so they can pick it up.
4) If their item has not yet been turned in, let them know that they should speak with Guest Engagement staff on their way out of the Zoo. They can check again to see if it has been turned in. If it hasn’t, they will be able to fill out a claim form so the Zoo can contact them if we find it.

Who to Call

If you run into a problem in the Zoo and you aren’t sure who to call, check the list below. Use a radio if you have it, and if not, reach out to the Staff Contact through other means.

 

What's the issue?

Guest injury, request for first aid, or other medical request

Radio Call:
Public Safety on Channel 1 or 2

Staff Contact:
215-243-5240 or anyone in Public Safety (always onsite)

Animal visibility information, who is in the trails, etc.

Radio Call:
Animal Department on Channel 2

Staff Contact:
Any onsite Curator

Questions about animals (names, ages, etc.)

Radio Call:
Animal Department or ConEd on Channel 2

Staff Contact:
Any Curator or ConEd staff

Trash can that needs to be emptied, spills, wet floors, bathrooms that need attention

Radio Call:
Garden Services on Channel 1

Staff Contact:
Taufick or Theresa

Questions about attractions, ticketing, operating hours, food services, and gift shops

Radio Call:
Guest Engagement on Channel 1

Staff Contact:
Dan, Adam, Greg, Dory, or Jackie

Any other issues that you aren’t sure about

Radio Call:
ConEd Dani on Channel 2, Guest Engagement Dan on Channel 1

Staff Contact:
Dani or Dan