Description
Please read before booking.
During the Wild Wonder Tortoise Encounter, we’ll meet and feed Sulcata Tortoises in their Wonder Gardens habitat. The encounter guide will introduce you to our animal residents and provide information about safety and feeding techniques to ensure a great experience for both you and our animals.
SULCATA TORTOISES
Sulcata tortoises are the third-largest tortoise species in the world, and males can grow to be about 200 pounds. When we encounter the tortoises, we will walk through crushed-shell mulch to a 2-foot-wide gate and step over an 18-inch fence onto the natural-earth habitat where the tortoises freely roam. We will hold tongs to feed them fresh vegetables, stooping low to provide the feeding on their level. Closed-toe shoes are required to protect participants’ feet. The tortoises will approach participants to eat, and participants may touch them lightly on their backs and take photos with them while feeding.
*Activity selection (feeding, brushing, etc) is at the discretion of our Animal Care team in response to animal needs and wellbeing.
If you have any questions or would like to request accommodations, please contact us at [email protected]
Wonder Garden Encounter Rules and Cancellation Policy
To redeem your tickets, please see a Guest Services representative in the Welcome Center, and they will give all paid participants a wristband.
Encounter Rules
- For safety reasons, no one under the age of 5 years may participate in the encounter.
- Participants under the age of 14 must have a paid adult to accompany them.
- YOU MUST WEAR CLOSED-TOED SHOES, or you will not be able to participate.
- Participants must agree to abide by Wonder Gardens’ safety protocols and sign a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Minors’ waivers must be signed by their parent or legal guardian.
- Encounter components are subject to change without notice due to weather, animal, staff, or park conditions. In some cases, Wonder Gardens must postpone or cancel an encounter. It is important to note that weather conditions sometimes “materialize” in SW Florida, and they are not always predictable based on the apps we have available to us, and that staffing, park conditions, or animal care needs vary and may also not be predictable.
- If Wonder Gardens postpones or cancels an Encounter, we will offer an opportunity to reschedule. If participants are unable to reschedule, a full refund will be provided if the encounter has not yet started, or a 50% refund will be provided if the encounter is in progress.
Cancellation Policy
- Guests may cancel their reservation with no penalty up to 48 hours in advance of the scheduled encounter. For refund inquiries, please contact our Guest Services team. After the cancellation deadline, no refund will be issued.
- If you are more than 10 minutes late with a no-call / no-show, your encounter will be canceled, and your ticket is nonrefundable.
