Wildlife Assembly

Bring your class to a wild assembly at Oakland Zoo.

Meet some of our Education Animal Ambassadors up close! This live, interactive animal presentation takes place in our outdoor Wildlife Theater (weather permitting). After the program, groups are welcome to explore the Zoo on their own until their departure. This program is great for large groups with multiple classes and multiple age ranges.

a calendar icon

Monday–Thursday (Sept–May)

clock icon

10:00 am

location pin icon

Oakland Zoo

OUSD Title 1 schools are eligible for Zoo-to-Community support, providing funds and space are available.

Book NowFAQs
Red tailed hawk on a tree branch

Grades K-12

Coexisting in California

You don’t have to travel around the globe to make a positive impact on wildlife-you can start in your own backyard! With the help of our ambassador animals, students will learn more about the wildlife that call California home, whether locally in the Bay Area or farther south in the Sonoran Desert. During this lesson, students will foster empathic connections with California native wildlife and leave feeling empowered to make a difference, right here at home!

a snake wrapped around an instructor's hand.

Grades K-8

Animal Habitats and Adaptationssss

How do snakes move without any limbs? How does a turtle’s shell help keep them safe, and could they leave it if they wanted to? Why do some animals smell with their tongue while we use our nose? What does it mean to have eyes like a hawk? Animals throughout the world have amazing adaptations to help them survive in their habitats. With the help of our ambassador animals, students will make observations to discover how animals use their unique adaptations to thrive in the wild.

a monitor lizard on a log.

Grades 6-8/9-12

Combating the Illegal Wildlife Trade

The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth most lucrative global market, with hundreds of millions of plants and animals captured each year, then traded on the black market. While the problem can seem daunting, there are ways we can help! Using our observation skills, students will learn how to identify items found in the illegal wildlife trade and help develop possible solutions. Students will also learn more about the animals directly impacted by this trade, with the help of our ambassador animals. Rather than feel powerless, students will learn new skills and problem-solving techniques, empowering them to be stewards for wildlife around the globe!

30–45 minutes (based on age group and participation)

Two animals

Students (minimum)

15

Students (maximum)

125

Adults (maximum)

25

Grades TK-K

1/6

Grades 1-8

1/8

Grades 9-12

1/10

Zoo Admission Included

Teacher or chaperone

$

30

Student

$

25

Senior (65-75)

$

25

Senior (76+)

$

0

Per Car

$

13

Per Bus

$

21

Our programs are very popular, so we highly recommend that you submit your Wildlife Assembly request form at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the date you would like to reserve. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for bookings less than two weeks prior to the event.

A copy of your PO or payment in full is due at least 30-days in advance.

Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to the scheduled program date will receive a full refund. We cannot give any refunds for cancellations made less than 30 days in advance.

contact us Icon

Contact

Eunice Hui

Operations Coordinator

Oakland Zoo Learning and Engagement

(510) 632-9525 x219

[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the chaperone requirements?

For Grades 1-8: one adult required for every 8 students

For Grades 9-12: one adult is required for every 10 students

Maximum number of chaperones : 25

How do we pay for additional adults or students?

On the day of your program, you may pay for any additional students or adults (to the group maximum) at the Education Office. Payment must be made before the students or adults join the program. We can only accept credit cards.

Please note that any adults above the maximums may enjoy the Zoo during the program but will have to pay the standard Zoo admission at the Main entrance. Teachers are responsible for making arrangements for these parents.

What if a chaperone brings a sibling?

We are sorry, but absolutely no siblings (including children in strollers) are allowed to attend your program. Parents with siblings may enjoy the Zoo during the program but will have to pay the standard Zoo admission for themselves and the siblings. Teachers are responsible for making arrangements for these parents.

What if we have fewer participants on the day of the program than we paid for?

Because we have planned and staffed your program for the number of participants you originally requested, we are unable to provide refunds if you have fewer participants on the day of your program.

Does a Zoo Member still have to pay for the program?

Zoo Membership does not apply to ZooSchool programs; as this program is separate from regular Zoo Admission.

What if we are running late?

We are sorry, but because our program schedule is very tight, we may not be able to accommodate your program if you are more than 15 minutes late for your start time.

If you think you may be late, please call our Operations Coordinator, Eunice Hui, immediately at (510) 632-9525 x219 to see what arrangements can be made.

Although we cannot offer a refund if you do miss your program, we may be able to reschedule it for some other time during the same school year.

What happens if it is storming?

Wildlife Assembly programs take place rain or shine. The program will be held in the Zimmer Auditorium in the event of rain or cool temperatures. Please make sure your students are dressed appropriately. Programs will be rescheduled when the zoo is closed during inclement weather conditions for the safety of guests and exhibited animals.

May we take photographs or video?

Please feel free to photograph or videotape our presentation.

Can we make changes to our reservation?

One change to your reservation date can be made (depending on availability) as long as it is requested at least 30 days prior to your originally scheduled program.

Should you need to make a change, we will gladly work with you to reschedule a date for later in the same school year, pending availability, and any previous payments will be applied to the new reservation.

What kind of payment is accepted?

We can accept purchase orders, check, and credit card payments 30-days prior to the reservation date.

My school is in OUSD and receives Title 1 funds. Are we eligible for Zoo-to-Community support?

Yes. Schools in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)—that receive Title 1 funds—qualify for our Zoo-to-Community program. Designed to make Oakland Zoo and select Oakland Zoo School Programs more accessible, Zoo-to-Community provides Title 1 schools with free access to Oakland Zoo, providing program funds and space are available. Transportation costs may also be covered if funds are available.

When you fill out your reservation request form, please indicate that you're interested in receiving Zoo-to-Community support. Our staff will contact you to confirm details. If Zoo-to-Community funds are available and you'd like to make a reservation, a non-refundable deposit of $100 is required.

We are a Title 1 school outside of OUSD. Can we request Zoo-to-Community support?

Due to our commitment to the Oakland community, requests coming from outside of the Oakland Unified School District will not be considered.