About Us

Discover the Wonders of Wildlife with Once in a Wild: Your Mobile Zoo Adventure!

Once in a Wild is an animal-led education company founded by professionals in zoology, biology, education, and experiential learning. We’re not entertainers pretending to teach. We’re educators and animal specialists who believe the best learning happens when curiosity leads and experience comes first.

What we do

We design intentional, hands-on animal experiences that help people truly understand the animals they meet. Every program, curriculum, and experience is thoughtfully drafted by zoologists, biologists, and teachers to balance education, engagement, and animal welfare.

Each animal is selected for a reason. Most of the animals in our care are rescues, and every one of them plays a specific role in learning. We’ve carefully designed the best way for people to experience each animal—how it’s introduced, how it’s handled (if at all), and what lessons it can teach.

Who we serve

We serve schools, libraries, families, camps, and community organizations, as well as private and public events. Our programs are built for learners of all ages, from curious kids to lifelong animal lovers, and are adapted to meet people where they are—classrooms, homes, or community spaces.

Our history

Once in a Wild started as an idea and a simple question: What if kids could learn about animals in a way that actually felt real?
Originally, that idea took shape as a YouTube channel designed to teach kids about animals through storytelling and education.

Then COVID hit.

We pivoted to virtual learning, bringing animals into homes through Zoom when in-person experiences weren’t possible. As the world reopened, so did opportunities for hands-on learning. We transitioned from screens back to real-life experiences, meeting communities face-to-face with animals and education at the center.

What began as a digital concept evolved into something much bigger—an adaptable, experience-driven education program that continues to grow and change.

How we do it

We start with intention.

Every experience begins by asking a few core questions:
What should someone learn from this animal?
What’s the safest, most respectful way to introduce it?
How do we create curiosity without fear?

Our programs are built through collaboration between animal professionals and educators, ensuring that learning is accurate, accessible, and engaging. Animal welfare always comes first, and education is never an afterthought.

We don’t claim to know exactly where Once in a Wild will go next—and that’s part of the excitement. Whether it’s in-person programs, new formats, or something entirely unexpected, our focus stays the same: creating meaningful connections between people and animals through experience.