PLEASE NOTE that Walk for the Wild on February 25, 2023, has been cancelled due to severe weather. The FAQs below relate to the originally scheduled in-person Walk and no longer apply. Walk registrants have received an email from GLAZA regarding distribution of T-shirts, fundraising rewards (as applicable), and purchased Zoo admission tickets, as well as the pending announcement of prize winners. If you have registered and have not received your email, please contact events@lazoo.org.
Q. What is the Walk for the Wild?
A. The Walk for the Wild is a 2.2-mile charity walk held at the Los Angeles Zoo to support the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and the Los Angeles Zoo’s vital mission to save wildlife and wild places.
Q. When and where is the event?
A. Walk for the Wild at the Los Angeles Zoo will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023. Check-in will open at 6:30 a.m. and the Walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. Participants will enter the Walk for the Wild Village on the far-right side of the Zoo’s main entrance.
Q. How much does it cost to join as a participant?
A. The fee depends on the type of registration you select. You can select either the Walker option for $55 or the Walker Plus T-shirt option for $75 (includes registration and branded campaign T-shirt). You will also have the option of adding a specially discounted Zoo admission ticket to your registration.
Q. What is included in the registration fee?
A. Your registration includes entrance to the Walk for the Wild event, free parking in the Los Angeles Zoo’s main parking lot, and access to the Walk for the Wild Village featuring light refreshments, a DJ dance party, and complimentary photo booth.
Q. Does Walk registration include admission to the Zoo that day?
A. Your registration fee does not include Zoo admission. If you’d like to stay and explore the Zoo after the Walk, you have the option of adding a specially discounted admission ticket at the time of your registration.
Q. Is there an age requirement?
A. Walk for the Wild is an all-ages event. At registration, individuals aged 18 or older may register additional family members in one transaction. Each registrant will receive the benefits of the specified registration level, and each will have their own fundraising page. Fundraisers for registrants younger than 13 must be managed by the primary account holder (13 or older). Children under the age of 2 are free.
Q. Is the Walk for the Wild a competitive race?
A. No. Walk for the Wild is a non-competitive walk through the Zoo. We encourage Walkers of all abilities to move at their own pace.
Q. How long is the Walk and where does it pass through?
A. The course is 2.2 miles long and will pass by many of our guests’ favorite exhibits—Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountain, Elephants of Asia, Red Ape Rain Forest, and more.
Q. Can I register on the day of the event?
A. No. There will be no day-of registration available due to limited capacity. You must be a registered participant prior to arrival.
Q. Can I fill out my registration by hand instead of online?
A. No, registration is online only.
Q. What is the refund policy?
A. There are no refunds on registration fees or donations for Walk for the Wild.
Q. When and where do I pick up my T-shirt and fundraising prizes?
A. Registrants can pick up their T-shirt and fundraising rewards at the event on February 25 starting at 6 a.m. Please bring a valid photo ID and proof of registration to receive your T-shirt. Parents picking up T-shirts for their children under the age of 18 are not required to present an ID for the child if one is unavailable. Participants will be given the T-shirt size they selected during the registration process.
Q. How do I get there and where do I park?
A. The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles, CA. Click here for directions via Google Maps. The entrance to the Walk for the Wild Village will be on the far-right side of the Zoo’s main entrance. Parking for this event is in the Zoo’s main lot and is free to all participants.
Q. Are spectators permitted to watch me walk?
A. There will be no spectators permitted.
Q. Do I have to pay for zoo admission?
A. If you would like to visit the Zoo after the walk has ended, you will need to purchase an admission ticket. Specially discounted admission tickets are available for purchase at the time of your registration.
Q. Do I get a Walk for the Wild T-shirt?
A. Only participants who have registered for the $75 Walker plus T-shirt option will receive a T-shirt. Shirts will be distributed based on the size that was selected at registration (no size exchanges). T-shirts will not be available for purchase at the event.
Q. Will there be breakfast?
A. Light refreshments will be available to participants in the Walk for the Wild Village.
Q. What happens if it rains?
A. The walk will take place rain or shine.
Q. Can I bring my bag to the event?
A. All persons, bags, parcels, clothing, and other items may be subject to screening/security checks or search upon entry and within the grounds at the discretion of Zoo Management. We reserve the right to prohibit any bag, parcel, or other item to be brought into the Zoo, and to deal with unattended objects in a manner we consider appropriate. We strongly advise that you limit what you bring into the park. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Q. Can I bring my pet to the walk?
A. Please leave pets at home. Dogs (except for service dogs as described below) or other animals of any kind (including emotional support or service animals) are prohibited on grounds. Please be mindful of the danger of leaving pets in your vehicle while visiting the Zoo.
Q. What are your policies regarding service animals?
A. Service animals are allowed on Zoo grounds with the exceptions indicated on the List of Restricted Access Areas for Visitors with Service Animals. Notify staff at the check-in table to review specific requirements regarding your service animal and to register your service animal if qualified under the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA defines a service animal as any dog, such as a guide dog or signal dog that is individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.) Under certain circumstances, we reserve the right to prevent a service dog from entering the Zoo, to limit the locations within the Zoo where the service dog may accompany a guest, or to require that a service dog be removed (although the guest may remain without the dog). Other dogs or animals providing emotional support are not permitted. Service dogs must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times. A guest whose service dog poses a threat to the safety of other guests and employees, or whose dog is not housebroken, may be asked to escort the dog off the premises.
Q. Will there be a bag check or lockers available?
A. No. There will be no bag checks or lockers available.
Q. Will there be any on-site first aid provisions?
A. An EMT will be present to address any medical situations that arise.
Q. Will face-coverings be required to participate?
A. Masks are not required and may be used based on personal preference; however, face coverings are recommended for all guests aged 2 and older in indoor and enclosed public settings, including retail and food service locations and restrooms. Guests who are not fully vaccinated are recommended by the CDC to wear face coverings outside as well. Guests and staff may continue to wear masks for a variety of reasons, so please be kind and considerate of others. Policies are subject to change, and all guests must abide by the local rules in effect on February 25, 2023. When changes happen, we make every effort to align our website and on-grounds signage with updates. Always check before you arrive for the most up-to-date information.
Q. Is proof of vaccination required to participate?
A. Proof of vaccination is not required. Guests who are not fully vaccinated are recommended by the CDC to wear face coverings outside as well. All guests must abide by the local rules in effect on February 25, 2023. When changes happen, we make every effort to align our website and on-grounds signage with updates. Always check before you arrive for the most up-to-date information. View up-to-date policies by visiting the Zoo’s Know Before You Go page.
Q. What if Los Angeles public health conditions worsen?
A. We will be closely monitoring all CDC and Los Angeles City guidelines to determine the best and safest practices. In the event that the City of Los Angeles institutes new restrictions, the L.A. Zoo reserves the right to make this a completely virtual event.
Q. What are the available accommodations for guests with disabilities?
A. Wheelchairs will be available for rent on the day of the event (manual wheelchair: $10/day; electric wheelchair: $30/day). The minimum age to rent an electric wheelchair is 18. There is no age restriction for manual wheelchair rentals. The electric wheelchairs are limited in number and available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted. Additional information for guests with disabilities and current accommodations relating to relevant Zoo policies can be found on our Accessibility & Services webpage. For further questions regarding guests with disabilities, please reach out to events@lazoo.org.
Q. Is there a minimum fundraising goal for individuals?
A. There is no minimum fundraising goal for individuals or teams. Check out the fundraising tips here to get started. We suggest selecting a goal that is a little bit of a stretch or using the goal amount suggested by your team leader/organization.
Q. Can I donate toward my own fundraising goal?
A. Absolutely! We actually recommend making a “first step” donation yourself to show your supporters that you’re invested in the cause and encourage others to donate to your goal as well.
Q. How do I donate to a participant?
A. That’s easy—all you have to do is click on the “Donate” button on the top of the page. From there, search for the participant’s personal fundraising page or team page by typing in their name or team name.
Q. Is my donation secure?
A. We know how important your personal information is. OneCause processes all donations through an SSL/PCI-compliant and secure platform.
Q. Can I donate over the phone or via check instead of online? Will offline donations count toward a participant’s fundraising goal?
A. Yes! To donate over the phone, please call GLAZA Development Manager Natalie Poveda at 323-486-4253. Checks can also be sent to the GLAZA administrative offices in care of the following: GLAZA Development, ATTN: Walk for the Wild, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1498.
*All checks must be listed in your Participant Center prior to the event date.
Q. Can I drop off my pledges the day of the event?
A. All pledges must be received in advance of February 25, 2023, by mail or by credit card transaction over the phone to be reflected on your participant page. If it is necessary for you to drop off pledges on the day of the Walk, there will be a table set up at the fundraising incentive kiosk in the Walk for the Wild Village.
Q. Does my registration fee apply toward fundraising incentives?
A. No. Your registration fee does not apply toward fundraising incentives.
Q. If my team reaches a stated fundraising incentive amount, will everyone on my team receive the prizes?
A. No. Fundraising incentives are awarded to individuals who meet the required level to earn that prize.
Q. If someone mistakenly makes a donation on behalf of a team instead of an individual on a team, can that be fixed?
A. Yes, in the event that a gift needs to be reassigned, please email events@lazoo.org.
Q. How will I be able to claim my fundraising incentive(s)?
A. If you have qualified for incentives based on your personal fundraising success, you will either need to print your fundraising total from the Participant Center and bring it with you on the day of the Walk to claim your incentive(s) or log on to OneCause and display your total on your phone. Incentives will be available at a kiosk in the Walk for the Wild Village until 11 a.m. You will also be able to drop off previously pledged donations at this kiosk; however, please make sure these checks are already entered into your Participant Center prior to the event date in order to receive the correct fundraising incentives.
Remember, except for the top team fundraisers prize, fundraising incentives are awarded to individuals, not teams.
Q. Will I be eligible for prizes if I bring my donations on the day of the Walk?
A. While we encourage you to have all your donations entered into your Participant Center prior to the day of the event, additional donations may be processed at the incentive kiosk in the Walk for the Wild Village in order to upgrade prizes.
Q. What is the Champions’ Tent and how can I access it?
A. Individuals who raise $1,000 or more will have access to the exclusive “Champions’ Tent” in the Walk for the Wild Village where they can meet fellow wildlife warriors while enjoying special breakfast treats.
Q. Is there a way to get a dedicated tent for my team?
A. Teams who raise $5,000 or more by February 17, 2023, will receive their own 10 x 10’ tent in the Village—a perfect spot for friends and family to gather on Walk Day.
Q. Who can I contact if I need additional assistance?
A. If you need to speak directly to a Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association staff person, you can reach us at 323-426-7172 or events@lazoo.org.