The Santa Barbara Zoo offers a Backstage Pass program that allows visitors to interact with animals under zookeeper supervision. The program includes four options - Barnyard, Feathered Friends, Small Mammals, and Eeeww! - that let visitors help care for species like sheep, goats, birds, anteaters, and reptiles. Backstage Pass gives visitors a hands-on experience learning how the animals are cared for at the zoo.

1. The Backstage Pass Program at
Santa Barbara Zoo
By Kenny Slaught

2. Introduction
• For visitors to the Santa Barbara Zoo seeking an
interactive experience, the zoo has created a unique
program called Backstage Pass that allows them to
interact with animals under the supervision of
experienced zookeepers. Visitors can choose from four
Backstage Pass programs: Barnyard, Feathered Friends,
Small Mammals, and Eeeww!
During the Barnyard adventure, children, parents, and
other visitors can meet Navajo-Churro sheep, San
Clemente Island goats, and Guinea hogs. The experience
allows visitors to work in a barnyard setting and to learn
exactly what it takes to care for the animals. Feathered
Friends takes a look at various birds in the zoo.

3. Conclusion
• Participants typically have the chance to interact
with Chilean flamingos and Humboldt penguins,
among other avian friends. The Small Mammals
Backstage Pass focuses on anteaters, capybaras, and
crested porcupines, while Eeeww! introduces guests
to various amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates.
For more information about Backstage Pass and
other interactive programs, such as Keeper for a Day
and Behind-the Scenes Tours, visit SBZoo.org.