Pueblo Zoo — Attraction in Pueblo

I want to caution others considering the “animal encounter” experiences at this zoo—especially the Red Panda encounter. While the website does mention that animals may not always appear, it doesn’t prepare you for how little effort is made to deliver the experience you’re paying $100 per person for.

My partner and I drove several hours for this opportunity—meeting with a zookeeper, seeing a Red Panda up close, and possibly participating in enrichment or feeding. Instead, the zookeeper led us (a group of 6 adults) into an empty enclosure, disappeared for about a minute, then returned saying the animal preferred to stay in her air-conditioned hide and likely wouldn’t come out. He offered to talk to us for a few minutes instead. The information the zookeeper shared was very surface-level—nothing beyond what you might read in the first paragraph of a Wikipedia entry. After a brief Q&A session (no one asked questions, as everyone was visibly disappointed), he made one final, quick attempt to coax the animal out. When that failed, he returned, apologized, and walked us back out. That was the entirety of the encounter—no Red Panda sighting, no interaction, no enrichment activity, and no effort to make up for the experience.

A simple gesture—such as offering themed memorabilia, a photo, a zoo sticker, or even a chance to interact with animals in the petting zoo—would have been the obvious customer service response. But nothing was offered at all. It’s hard not to feel taken advantage of. These encounters are scheduled in small batches and cost a lot—potentially $2,400/week from Red Panda bookings alone—yet the zoo releases itself from any responsibility to actually deliver the experience. I’m not an animal expert, but it seems like better planning could help: adjusting the A/C, offering encounters during active hours, or at least providing a reliable viewing window if the animal doesn’t come out.

The zoo itself is pleasant: paved, shaded, and accessible, with a decent mix of animals who appeared healthy. Staff were polite—especially in advance, when I emailed about accessibility—and the zookeeper seemed genuinely apologetic. But based on how smoothly he handled the letdown, it felt like this happens often and the zoo knows it. I would not recommend this experience, especially for children, who would likely be devastated. ETA: I received a call from the director of guest services saying they were sent a copy of my review, and they wanted me to call back to discuss what they could do differently in the future. Still no apology for my experience, while indicating they didn't even read the whole review, which includes my suggestions. I will not waste my time calling you when you clearly haven't a clue what customer service even encompasses. The first line of your response in Google was the first hint of customer service I've seen. Good luck with...

I took 2 of my grandkids today and it costs $14.50 for adults and $10.50 for kids. It was awful 70percent of the animals were gone or died. 1 snake 2 turtles no male lion 4 goat's and you can't feed them 2 different kinds of monkeys the eagles and vultures had only 1 wing each it was so sad. All the exhibits were empty just 4 birds in the rain forest area nothing else a few penguins everything was so expensive at the concession stand they sell food and drinks and then you can't go in a exhibit you can't take food or drinks so we had to throw them away I mean why sell that stuff and then say no food or drinks? For the price they charge to get in and no animals it was a total rip off I'm sorry but they need to get there act together. When I was little or when my kids were little the zoo was fun no more monkey mountain or bear exhibits it's just pictures on the wall that say historic monkey mountain or historical bear exhibits kids don't care about that they want to see actual animals. I will never go back there again ever. All I heard kids saying was where are the animals or passing exhibits saying ooo there's nothing in that one. I'm telling you it is not worth the $50 dollars we paid to get in. My grandkids were so excited to go and I was telling them how much fun it was when I use to take there parents and it was so depressing how do you tell 9 year old little girls well they use to have this and they use to have that but it's historical now. All the exhibits were also a mess not raked or cleaned. I don't understand if you have all the historical buildings why not use them? Put it this way my babies walked out of there with sad faces. Next weekend we are going to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Or the Denver Zoo. So I can show my grandchildren what a real zoo is supposed to look like. I know this review is bad and I actually have never given a review on anything before but Pueblo Zoo is so sad and depressing that I had to tell...

For the most part it was great! Although the girl working the front could have been more friendlier, I will say during our visit one girl was nice and a gentlemen feeding the animals was very friendly, willing to help, knowledgeable about lots of animals, and very informative! The thing that disappointed me was less people, I believe because people stay inside too much because of our technology. Too much video games and television, and modern conveniences, and comfort’s to enjoy these types of outdoor activities and I think it’s very sad. It’s not even safe for kids to play outside with their friends anymore. Sorry to get off track but with this happening places like these that should always be an experience for every child is going to be obsolete one day. What I’m trying to get at is who is going to fund the zoo to stay open without its visitors? My friend told me the Zoo has gone down a lot since she last came. They have a lot of exhibits that don’t have animals, but I believe since the first time I came to the zoo which was a year ago they had a lot more. The thing that disappointed me the most is they did away with the petting zoo with lack of children to play with them and pet them. I also believe God created all those animals for children AND adults to enjoy them. I understand it can get very hot, but for such a small city, I believe Pueblo Zoo did a great job and the best they could do with what they have...