Have you been to a zoo recently? If the last time you went to one was in grade school, you might be due for a trip. The Hawkeye State has a handful of zoos and nature centers with animals to enjoy. And although you can choose to stay home and watch some of the extensive, incredible footage of the animal world available these days, it’s not the same as seeing the real animals with your own eyes and making discoveries about their behavior, form, gracefulness, regalness, and – yes – adorableness. The closer the better, which is why the behind-the-scenes Sea Lion and Penguin Experience at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa is such an incredible opportunity.

Penguins are charmers.
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook
At a height of 18 inches tall and tipping the scales at 8 pounds, these black and white waddlers are the definition of adorable.
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook
And with the behind-the-scenes penguin tour from Blank Park Zoo, you can see the antics of over a dozen Magellanic Penguins as they are fed a diet of fish, no chewing involved. 
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook

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Watch up close as the penguins swallow fish whole and "fly" through the water at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.  They can go so fast they torpedo out of the water; this is called porpoising and gives them a super cool edge on predators.
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook
Behind the scenes tours are with a max of only three other people to allow a sense of closeness to the animals. Tours are scheduled at least two weeks in advance. This experience does have an age limit of 12 or older and participants under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $100 per ticket for nonmembers and $50 for members.
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook
Penguins aren’t the only animal you'll get to be up close and personal with on this experience; you'll also get to experience sea lion training at Hub Harbor. These rescued sea lions don’t meet the criteria for release back to the wild. Training helps teach them skills for their own health and well being. 
Blank Park Zoo / Facebook

Whether it’s been decades or days since you’ve been to the zoo, this behind the scenes experience will give you a unique perspective as you encounter some pretty amazing animals! Learn more at the Blank Park Zoo website. And just so you know, there are other behind-the-scenes experiences available as well, including wallabies, giraffes, rhinos, and more.

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Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, USA