Planet Zoo: How to Set Up Animal Encounters

Check the species in the Zoopedia

Animal Encounters upgrade walkthrough habitats for selected species suitable for guest interaction. A normal walkthrough animal is not automatically one that guests can pet. [1]

Check the Zoopedia distinction between interactable animals, walkthrough animals without interactions, and animals guests flee from. That distinction is the first species check when the encounter does not behave as expected. [1]

Steps

1. Choose a species whose Zoopedia entry permits Animal Encounters interaction. [1]

Provide a guest gate and keep dangerous animals out

The habitat must have guest-gate entry, no dangerous animal and an interactable animal. These are separate conditions. A gate alone does not make a habitat containing an unsuitable species into a valid encounter. [1]

Steps

1. Provide guest entry through a guest gate. [1]
2. Use an interactable animal and ensure no dangerous animal is present in the encounter habitat. [1]

Place Hygiene Stations before enabling the encounter

At least one Hygiene Station is a required condition. The station is not just a decorative extra added after opening. [1]

Hygiene Stations are in the facilities browser and belong inside the habitat. [1]

Steps

1. Open the facilities browser and place a Hygiene Station inside the habitat. [1]

Enable Animal Encounters through the habitat panel

Use the Animal Encounters tab in the habitat’s info panel to turn the habitat into an encounter. If guests still cannot use it, work through the listed gate, animal and Hygiene Station conditions instead of assuming the toggle bypasses them. [1]

Steps

1. Select the habitat, open its Animal Encounters tab and enable the feature after meeting the conditions. [1]

Give guests enough washing capacity

Guests want to wash their hands after interacting with an animal. [1]

They become unhappy if no free Hygiene Station is available. One station meets the listed minimum, but that does not guarantee enough capacity for every level of guest demand. Add enough washing capacity for the visitors using the encounter. [1]

Interactions occur when guests are near an idle animal. They may approach or pet it, rather than being guaranteed an interaction at every moment they enter the habitat. [1]