Zookeeper experiences

[Arlanymor]

So my old dad turns 80 next month and 'doesn't want anything'... except he has decided he wants to go out for dinner on the birthday before his weekend - fine. Look he's not going to be around forever and I would like to make it a bit more of a thing... I'm looking at zookeeper experience. I think he would get a kick out of it and my mum would go in halves with me. Are they worth it though? They are in Pembrokeshire and two places are nearby that might fit the bill - red pandas at Manor Wildlife Park or maybe penguins or giraffes at Folly Farm. Any experience of doing similar? He loves animals so I think he would really enjoy it - also he is a camera hog, so lots of selfies with animals is right up his street!!! Thanks in advance, I want him to have a lovely and unexpected day. Diolch. xxx

One of my sons had a lovely 1 hour experience with some monkeys. Loved getting into the enclosure and having the monkeys jump on him. Worth every penny.

Only adult I've known do one spent the day cleaning out some capybara and also had the best day.

Oh I know two people who visited capybaras too! Good call. Glad to hear it's a good experience because they are not cheap! But I think he will love it. Maybe giraffes for him as he's 6' 4''!

My daughters both got one from my dad and it was amazing! Fed various animals and got up close, a special experience.

Thank you! I am more and more convinced this will be a good idea.

A few years ago my DD asked for an "animal experience" for her Christmas present.

We started off by looking at Chester Zoo because that is not so far from where we live. However we went off that because:
a. You had to select a date when you bought the experience and we wanted a voucher where she could book a date that suited her.
b. The experiences were relatively short, only about 30 minutes, as part of a group. I should say this was a few years ago so it might be different now.

In the end we bought her a gift voucher for a Carnivore Experience at Knowsley Safari Park. This ticked all the boxes. She could book a date that suited her. It was an experience that was fairly exclusive, i.e. only people 18 and over and limited to two people or less at one time. She got to go out with a keeper in a Land Rover before the park opened to the public and have a fairly exclusive tour, let out the lions and throw meat to the wolves. It wasn't the rig6day for feeding the tigers otherwise she would have been able to do that.

I would love to find something similar but bear related for DH but all the ones I can find are either too far away or way too expensive.

It would be a marvellous present if you could find the right one. Some zoos offer overnight stays now too.