Photo by Dayle DugginsGet up-close-and-personal with a group of penguins at Wonders of Wildlife.
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Wildlife Encounters for the Whole Family
Springfield, Missouri has a surprising number of wildlife attractions that are not only great for kids, but for the whole family.
By Katie Pollock Estes
Apr 2020
Wild Anima Safari
The new giraffe barn at Wild Animal Safari allows visitors to get year-round access to Blossom the Giraffe—and even feed and pet her. Before the construction of the barn, Blossom would be out of sight on days when the weather was not conducive to her being outside.
National Tiger Sanctuary
Big cats are always the draw at National Tiger Sanctuary, where a variety of tour options let you get a close look at the tigers, lions and other beasts. One tour event lets you feed them!
Wonders of Wildlife
The penguin encounter at Wonders of Wildlife is new this year, and it joins the Out to Sea Shark Dive as close-up animal experiences. You actually get to go inside Penguin Cove (brrr!).
Dickerson Park Zoo
And finally, the classic Springfield animal experience is still drawing visitors to Dickerson Park Zoo to feed the giraffes from a giant platform beside their enclosure.
