Guests can get an inside look at Busch Gardens’ state-of-the-art Animal Care Center and learn what it takes to care for thousands of animals on the Animal Care Center Tour.
History
In late 2013, a new inside look was offered to guests with the Animal Care Center Behind the Scenes Tour. The 75-minute tour took guests behind the scenes at the Animal Care Center to see what the veterinarians and zoological staff do each day, including medical exams, enrichment preparation, and sometimes even serious lifesaving treatment for the park’s collection of animals or injured wildlife brought in for help.
Guests were shown the different rooms of the animal care facility, including the treatment rooms and on-site medical lab. Should a procedure occur during the tour, guests may have even been given an up-close look.
The tour was priced at $29 per person and was available for up to eight guests ages eight or above.
Pass members could receive 30% off the regular price of the Animal Care Center Behind the Scenes Tour in April 2016 as part of the monthly Instant Rewards program.
In the second half of 2017, the tour was reduced to 45 minutes and the name was shortened to Animal Care Center Tour. The price remained at $29 per person, and the same age restrictions and maximum group size applied. At that time, the tour was generally available daily at 11 a.m.
By the summer of 2019, the tour was no longer being offered. It returned for a short run from March 9 to 12, 2020, in honor of World Wildlife Week.
At the beginning of 2022, the tour returned as a regular offering. At this time, the tour was advertised as going behind-the-scenes taking guests inside the treatment rooms, labs, and surgical suites where expert veterinarians and zoological staff care for Busch Gardens’ animals as well as hundreds of wildlife cases throughout the year. The 30-minute tour was available for guests ages five and above and cost $19.99. Pass member discounts applied.
As of October 2022, the tour components and pricing remained the same. It was being offered daily at 1:30 p.m.
Sources:
Busch Gardens Tampa | Jan 18 2014 – accessed 6/23/2018
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Animal Care Center Behind the Scenes Tour – accessed 12/31/2013
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Animal Care Center Tour – accessed 6/23/2018
Twitter – @BuschGardens | Aug 2 2017 – accessed 7/12/2019
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Animal Care Center Tour – accessed 4/22/2019
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Park Tours – accessed 6/24/2019
Twitter – @BuschGardens | Mar 5 2020 – accessed 3/5/2020
Busch Gardens Tampa | Pass Member Benefits – accessed 2/20/2016
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Animal Care Center Tour – accessed 1/26/2022
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Animal Care Center Tour – accessed 10/9/2022
Last update: October 9, 2022