SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Potawatomi Zoo is letting animal lovers interact with its residents like never before with its newest experience, Animal Encounters!

Right now, the Zoo is offering two Animal Encounter options: a Bison Encounter and a Rhino Encounter.

The Rhino Encounter, happening each Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., gives guests the chance to meet and touch the Zoo’s southern white rhinoceros, Masamba, and learn about his species and care from a zoo keeper.

Rhino Encounters are $50 per person and limited to visitors ages six and up. Up to six people can participate in each session.

The Bison Encounter, happening each Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m., gives guests the chance to meet and feed the Zoo’s three North American Bison, Geronimo, Zipper, and Bobbie, and learn about their species from a zoo keeper.

Bison Encounters are $20 per person with no age limit. Up to six people can participate in each session.

“Having the opportunity to get up close and personal with these amazing species gives us a chance to tell more people about their conservation story,” says Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo. “An encounter like this can create so much empathy, not only for the larger rhino and bison species, but for all plants and animals that are part of their wild habitats. We believe that kind of empathy helps lead to real change for these species.”

All participants must have a ticket, wear a mask, and sign a waiver. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult over 18. Most Encounter sessions last 20 to 30 minutes.

The animals participate voluntarily, so the Zoo cannot guarantee any specific experience.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.